Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said Tuesday that anti-terrorism is a long-term and complicated task and a common challenge to the international community, and China will strengthen cooperation on the issue of anti-terrorism with all countries in the world, especially with Germany.

Zhu made the remarks here Tuesday afternoon in a telephone conversation with German Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder as requested by the latter.

They exchanged views on the current international situation and anti-terrorism efforts.

Zhu strongly condemned again the horrific terrorist attack in the United States on September 11 and reiterated the Chinese government's consistent and principled position on firmly opposing terrorism of any kind.

Meanwhile, said Zhu, actions against terrorism should conform to the purpose and principle of the United Nations Charter and the acknowledged norms of international laws, and be in the long-term interests of world peace and development.

Schroeder said that Germany shares a common view with China on the issue of anti-terrorism, and holds that all countries in the world should strengthen unity and jointly combat terrorism.

The key is to realize peace through combating terrorism, said Schroeder.

He also briefed Zhu on the European Union's recent special summit on anti-terrorism.

(Xinhua News Agency 09/26/2001)