Message from EU

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso sent a message of sympathy and solidarity to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao following the unusually harsh weather conditions that have beset many parts of China over the past week and caused hardship and disruption for many ordinary Chinese at this important time of the year, when they are traveling home to be with their families.

He expressed his sincere hope that the current difficulties can be resolved as soon as possible and also pledged any necessary help that the EU might be able to offer China in this time of need in the spirit of friendship and solidarity between both peoples.

P&I Team, delegation of the European Commission in China

Via e-mail

Wish for home

Comment on Raymond Zhou's "Chunyun provides a glimpse of China's reality" (China Daily, February 2)

I am a college student at Soochow University in Suzhou. Your article "Chunyun provides a glimpse of China's reality" impressed me a lot because this morning I failed to get on a bus for home.

As a result of the most severe blizzard in five decades, thousands of passengers are stranded at the bus station. The temporary tents that have been set up are not enough to shelter the stranded people.

I never expected I would become one of them. I got up early, made my bed and rushed to the station with my luggage. The snow and sleet were almost higher than my boots when I got off the bus.

I went to the railway station hoping to get a ticket for the city near my hometown. After consulting the information desk worker, I realized it was unlikely I would get home before Lunar New Year's Eve.

At that moment, I really did not know what to do next. My mind went blank for a few seconds. This is the last winter vacation during my college days, and I really wanted to spend it with my parents and relatives.

I called my mother and explained that I could not reach home before Wednesday. Her voice was filled with worry and anxiety, so I reassured her that I would get home by buying a ticket for New Year's Day.

The Lunar New Year is not just a festival for families, relatives and friends to get together and have a splendid dinner, but also the most important reunion. The feeling is essential for every Chinese.

Our roots are in the family. Though every Spring Festival follows the same schedule, which can be tiring, I still love it, and now I love it more. Now I am sitting in my dormitory, surfing on the Internet and scanning the China Daily website. Your commentary aroused my interest and made me want to write down my own feelings.

Elisha

Via e-mail

Be strong

Comment on Liu Shinan's "Chinese defy natural calamities" (China Daily, February 4)

The Chinese have in the past faced much tougher challenges than the freak snowfall and triumphed.

In a sense, the current struggle will enable people to become stronger and unite.

George Hwang

On China Daily website

Readers' comments are welcome. Please send mail to Letters to the Editor, China Daily, 15 Huixin Dongjie, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029 China. Send faxes to (86-10) 6491-8377. Send e-mail to opinion@chinadaily.com.cn or letters@chinadaily.com.cn or to the individual columnists. China Daily reserves the right to edit all letters. Thank you.

(China Daily 02/05/2008 page9)