China, US vow to combat terrorism
( 2001-09-14 08:43 ) (1 )

China will increase dialogue and co-operation with the United States and the international community to crack down on all forms of terrorist activities, Chinese President Jiang Zemin said on Wednesday.

Jiang made the remark last night during a phone call with US President George W. Bush.

Bush thanked Jiang for his condolences on the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington DC.

Bush said that international terrorism threatens world peace and that he looks forward to combating terrorism together with President Jiang and other world leaders.

Jiang once again, on behalf of the Chinese Government and its people, expressed sympathy to the victims' family members.

Jiang said China closely followed the rescue work and would provide all the help it could.

In another development, a Chinese man with the Beijing Economic and Trade Commission was hospitalized after suffering a leg injury in Tuesday's terrorist attacks, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao. The man's name was not immediately available.

Fourteen Chinese mainland companies and about 30 employees were stationed in the World Trade Center, officials said.

A Phoenix TV report said that there were six Taiwan companies in the World Trade Center.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington and the consulate-general in New York have set up hotlines to update Chinese compatriots on any recovery efforts that may affect Chinese in the US.

The number of phone calls between China and US surged tenfold between 9 pm on September 11 and 8 am on September 12 in Shanghai.

The surge seriously jammed long-distance call routes. Only 30 per cent of the calls directed to US could be put through, considerably below the normal 65 per cent. Back in China, officials have tightened security to protect foreign diplomatic missions and business institutions.

"The Chinese Government cares very much about the situation of the US citizens who work, do business, travel and study in China," said Zhu, adding that the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation and the Ministry of Education will do their best to help.

The US Embassy and four consulates general in China will continue to function normally.

Also yesterday, US Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt, Jr. expressed his appreciation for China's condolences.

"The expressions of sympathy and support we have received from President Jiang (Zemin) and from ordinary people demonstrates that our two nations both condemn and oppose all acts of terrorist violence," Randt said in a statement released by the US Embassy in Beijing.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan sent a message to US Secretary of State Collin Powell late Tuesday night (Beijing time) to express deep sympathy.

In addition, Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa strongly condemned the terrorism act and Macao Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah expressed his condolences to the United States.

The terrorist attack has dented tourist activities between China and the United States.

A business group organized by China International Travel Service cancelled its tour of the United States, and several US tour groups called off their trips to China as well, according to the service.

China's civil aviation authorities yesterday ordered the cancellation of the four regular flights to the United States.

A source with the Civil Aviation Administration of China said that extra safety measures are being taken on flights to other countries.

Guy F. Tozzoli, the president of the World Trade Centers Association, told China Daily yesterday that his association will continue to promote trade among China, Europe and other countries to help foster world peace.

He said the tragedy will not delay the association's annual meeting in Sao Paulo, Brazil, scheduled for October 14-17.

The Red Cross Society of China sent a condolence message yesterday to Bernadine P. Healy, president of American Red Cross, expressing sincere concern and best wishes.

And the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries as well as the China-US People's Friendship Association sent a condolence message to Barbara Harrison, president of the US-China People's Friendship Association yesterday, strongly condemning the attack on the US as a "barbarian terrorist action."

Almost all Beijing-based newspapers devoted the majority of their pages to the mass disaster. The newspapers were so popular that people complained when they could not find them at newsstands.