On February 2 and 3, 2008, more leaders of foreign countries and international organizations sent messages of sympathy and solicitude to Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao over the recent snow havoc in southern parts of the country. In their messages, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutharika, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso spoke highly of the joint efforts and effective measures by the Chinese government and people to combat the protracted bad weather. They expressed the belief that the Chinese government and people will be able to resume normal life in the snow-stricken areas soon. They also expressed readiness to provide assistance within their power to the Chinese government and people in joint efforts to tide over the disaster and wished the Chinese people good luck in the upcoming Spring Festival.