On May 5, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sent a message of sympathy to Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein in the wake of a cyclone that caused heavy casualties and huge property losses in the southeast Asian country. In the message, Wen extended deep sympathy and sincere solicitude to the government and people of Myanmar. He expressed the belief that Myanmar would soon overcome the losses caused by the cyclone and restore normal life for its people.