A major earthquake rocked southwest China's Sichuan Province at 2:28 p.m. May 12, 2008. The energy that the earthquake released was so big that many parts of China even felt the quake. Foreigners in Shenyang, the capital city of Liaoning province, also care about the Sichuan earthquake. Dan, a foreign teacher from Shenyang Normal University, cares about the people in quake-hit areas very much. The journalist interviewed him last night in his office. 

Dan, a foreign teacher from Shenyang Normal University

Journalist: What is your first thought of hearing the news about the earthquake happened on May 12?

Dan: I was very sad when I heard the news. I cannot believe what have happened. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake is a really disaster. I was alone at that time. I cannot find people to talk about it. I tried to talk about it with my students outside the class. The Students were also very sad. I think it is the teacher’s responsibility to help students to deal with it. Students live in school and cannot go home often, so they need to express themselves.

Ｔhe white paper cranes made by the students

Journalist: What do you think of the white paper crane hung in the Times Square by the students?

Dan: Everybody has grief. Tears are language that everybody understands. If you feel like crying, you should. The sadness will last a period of time. The white paper crane made by the students is a good outlet for them to express their grief.

Journalist: Thanks very much for your sympathy to Chinese people.

Dan: We are all part of it. The earthquake is not only the disaster to China; it is the disaster to the whole world. We are all humans; it is the disaster to all of us. I am really impressed by the Premier Wen and the Chinese army. I am sure they must be very exhausted, but they still work very hard.

Journalist: Did you take part in any activities to help the people in quake-hit areas?

Dan: Yes, I did. Chinese people are so generous to me; they gave me a second home in China. I feel sad to them for the earthquake. I hope I can help them in some way.

Journalist: What do you think of the Beijing Olympics?

Dan: I went to Beijing three days ago. Beijing looks fantastic. The air is so good. The city is very beautiful and clean. Since what has happened recently, everybody worried about the Olympic Games. I think the earthquake cannot affect the Olympic Games, definitely.

(Liaoning-gateway.com)