China backs Russia over handling of hostage crisis

4 September 2004

BEIJING - China said Saturday it supported the Russian government’s handling of a school hostage crisis in which more than 200 people were believed killed.

“China supports the Russian government’s efforts in fighting against terrorism and is willing to join hands with the international community to fight resolutely against terrorism and to maintain justice and peace,” foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan said in a statement.

China also strongly condemned the hostage taking, carried out by militants demanding independence for Chechnya, calling the ”terrorist” activity “atrocious.”

Commandos stormed the school in southern Russia Friday and battled militants holding up to 1,500 hostages as children, some naked and covered in blood, fled the complex.

According to Russian news agencies more than 200 people were killed and hundreds more wounded in the climax to the nearly three-day standoff.

China has experienced problems with separatists in its Muslim-populated Xinjiang region and is keen to gain international support for its fight against separatism, which it considers terrorism.