3 Chinese defence personnel killed in Jordan blasts

Three Chinese army personnel were killed and one more injured in the bomb attacks on three hotels in the Jordanian capital of Amman, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in Beijing on Thursday. The dead and wounded were members of a delegation from China's University of National Defence, which happened to stay at one of the three hotels, a ministry press release said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is in London for a state visit, has asked China's foreign ministry and relevant departments to take immediate measures and spare no efforts to save the injured and properly handle relevant consequences. Hu has also sent a message of condolence to Jordanian King Abdullah II, in which he said the Chinese government condemns all forms of terrorism and is ready to strengthen cooperation with the international community, including Jordan, on fighting terrorism.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, who was accompanying President Hu in London, also sent a letter of condolence to his Jordanian counterpart, Faruq Kassrawi. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has advised Chinese citizens avoid making trips to Jordan given the current situation.

At least 57 people were killed and more than 120 others wounded in the blasts that struck the Grand Hyatt, the Radisson SAS and the Days Inn hotels in downtown Amman.