Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who is on a visit to the United States, sent a message to Russian President Putin October 24 on the terrorist attack in Moscow, in which some 700 people were seized as hostages in a theater.

Jiang said in his message that he was shocked by the attack and is greatly concerned with the event which threatens the life of thousands of innocent people. The Chinese government has been always against and condemned terrorism in any forms, and will continue to support the Russian government's efforts in striking terrorism, separatism and extreme forces. He believes that the Russian government, under the leadership of President Putin, is sure to put an end to the attack smoothly.

China vehemently condemns the armed hostage takers who besieged hundreds of civilians in Moscow Wednesday evening, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said at a regular press conference in Beijing Thursday.

In response to a question, Liu said these civilians are in grave danger and China is greatly concerned over the situation.

The Chinese government is resolutely opposed to terrorism in any form and convinced that the Russian government will be fully capable of resolving the issue smoothly, the spokesman said.

(People's Daily October 25, 2002)