Miquel Ribalta, a foreign torch bearer of Shaoxing leg in south China's Zhejiang Province, said Saturday that he was excited to be a torch bearer but the earthquake in Sichuan Province made him sad.
"Earthquake is hard to be predicted which will cause great destruction. I want to show my sympathy to the people in Sichuan Province. I hope that they can bestir themselves and help each other to reconstruct their homeland," Miquel said.
Just as Miquel, a lot of foreigners made a special trip to Shaoxing to enjoy the torch relay. What's more, they also want to show their best wishes to the people in Sichuan Province.
According to Shi Meimei, a student from Malaysia, the decision of simplifying the torch relay was a good way to show the respect and sympathy to the people died in the 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck on Monday.
"I believe that our best wishes can be brought to the earthquake-hit Sichuan Province by the torch relay. The relay can bring them hope and courage. I hope that they can overcome the difficulties as soon as possible, " Shi said.
Shaoxing, known as one of the birthplaces of the ancient Chinese civilization with a recorded history of over 4000 years, enjoys a long history and rich cultural resources. It attracts a lot of foreign visitors and immigrants.
Kulraj Singh, a visitor from the United States, treated Shaoxing as his second hometown, "I am proud to be here to see the torch relay. I am proud of China".
Singh also showed his best wishes to the people in Sichuan. "I am sad to hear the earthquake, but I believe the kind people will be blessed. I hope more people can be saved," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2008)