大学考试|President sends message of condolence

President Hu Jintao yesterday sent a message of condolence to his Italian counterpart Giorgio Napolitano, mourning the heavy loss of life and property in the devastating^{1 earthquake that struck central Italy on Monday.}

Hu expressed condolences to the families of the dead, and those affected^{2 by the earthquake.}

Top legislator Wu Bangguo sent a similar message to Italian Senate Speaker Renato Schifani and Chamber^{3 of Deputies Speaker Gianfranco Fini; Premier4 Wen Jiabao sent a message to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Xinhua reported.}

There has been no report of Chinese casualties, and those in the epicenter have contacted the Chinese embassy in Rome or local Chinese communities, Wang Hao, a diplomat^{5 in charge of press relations at the embassy, told China Daily yesterday.}

There are about 7,000 Chinese living in the region of Abruzzo, including about 50 in L'Aquila, the epicenter.

The embassy halted a plan to send staff to the quake zone after Berlusconi declared a state of emergency, Wang said.

The Italian Foreign Ministry^{6 said embassy staff would be able to visit the disaster area as soon as conditions permit.}

Questions:

1. When did the earthquake strike central Italy?

2. How many Chinese live in the region of Abruzzo?

3. Who declared a state of emergency?

Answers:

1. Monday.

2. about 7,000.

3. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.