China's ambassador to the United Nations Wang Guangya said Thursday that China is "proud of its anti-terror policy" and will stick to it despite a deadly attack which killed 11 Chinese workers in Afghanistan.
"The Chinese government strongly condemns this terrorist attacks aimed at Chinese construction workers who are in Afghanistan, helping the Afghanistan people," he told reporters after a closed meeting by the UN Security Council.
Chinese President Hu Jintao Thursday strongly condemned the terrorist attack. He also instructed the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy to Afghanistan to try their utmost to ensure best treatment for the wounded and to properly handle the incident.
Wu Bangguo, chairman of Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Thursday strongly condemned terrorist activities while sending condolences for the victims and sympathy to the injured.
Wen, while strongly condemning the terrorist attack against Chinese citizens, called on Afghanistan to severely punish the criminals.
Asked whether this attack would have any percussions on China's anti-terrorism policy, Wang said: "We are proud of our anti-terrorism policies... and we would continue to join international efforts in the fight against terrorism."
"I think we should join hands to fight terrorist activities wherever they occur," he noted.
As for whether China will send troops to the war-torn country, Wang said his delegation is contacting the UN mission there to seek protection of Chinese workers.
"I am in contact with UNAMA (UN Assistant Mission in Afghanistan) and the International Security Assistance Force," he said. "This morning I had a special meeting with German ambassador. They have forces in the region, and they agreed to send their forces to protect the Chinese construction workers."
At present, the Chinese government is doing everything possible to help the victims and their families, Wang said.
"My government is also in contact with the government of Afghanistan and UNAMA (UN Assistant Mission in Afghanistan), urging them to carry out a thorough investigation and bring those accountable to justice," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency June 11, 2004)
