Chinese President Hu
Jintao's scheduled visit to the United States was postponed due
to the disaster of Hurricane Katrina, Chinese Foreign Ministry said
in Beijing Saturday night in a press release.
The release said Hu and US President George W. Bush had a phone
conversation on Saturday and they agreed to postpone the scheduled
visit due to the special condition faced with the US government in
handling the serious natural disaster caused by Hurricane
Katrina.
"The heads of state decided that they will have meeting during
their presence at the United Nations 60th anniversary summit in New
York in mid September," said the release.
Hu is scheduled to pay a state visit to the United States from
Sept. 5 to Sept. 8.
Bush was quoted by the release as saying that he expected Hu's
important visit to the United States at a time of mutual
convenience.
Both Hu and Bush expressed the willingness to jointly push
forward the constructive and cooperative relations between China
and the United States, said the release.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Bush briefed Hu about the
serious casualty caused by Hurricane Katrina in three southern
states of the United States. Bush said the US government is going
all out to organize disaster relief.
Bush emphasized that the US government and people highly
appreciate the friendly assistance the Chinese government and
people offered.
The Chinese government has offered US$5 million worth of aid to
the United States and will also send rescue workers to help with
medical treatment and epidemic prevention in the disaster-stricken
areas, Chinese Foreign Ministry announced earlier.
Hu was quoted by the release as saying that the Chinese people
will firmly stand together with the US people who are faced with a
difficult time of severe natural disaster.
It says that Hu also expressed the belief that the US government
and people will be able to overcome the disaster and rebuild their
home.
(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2005)