Chinese President Jiang Zemin sent a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday to offer condolences to the victims of the deadly blasts at the Chechen government building on Friday.
In the message, Jiang offered his sincere condolences to the victims of the explosions, which caused heavy casualties, and extended his deep sympathy to Putin and the families of the victims.
Jiang said China firmly stands against and resolutely condemns terrorism in all forms, and supports Russian efforts to crack down on terrorists and separatists in Chechnya, Jiang said.
China is willing to strengthen the cooperation between China and Russia in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism to safeguard peace and stability in both countries, Jiang said.
Two powerful explosions ripped through the Chechen government compound in the capital Grozny at about 2:30 p.m. Moscow time (1130 GMT) on Friday, killing at least 46 people and injuring another 76. The building was reduced to debris in the attack.
It was the biggest Chechen rebel attack since gunmen seized a Moscow theater in October. In the rescue operation, 41 raiders and129 hostages were killed.
(Xinhua News Agency December 28, 2002)
