Hu made the statement when visiting the Ground Zero in lower Manhattan, the site of the World Trade Center twin towers destroyed in the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The September 11 incident shows again that terrorism has become a common threat to the world, and the international community should strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism, he said.

Since September 11, Hu said, China and the United States has had sound cooperation in the fight against terrorism and China is ready to continue such cooperation with the United States on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit.

Hu said that he admired the tremendous achievements the United States had scored in the rescue and reconstruction efforts on the site, and hoped the New York City would have a better future.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2002)