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Chinese president expresses sympathy over death of American tourist

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-10 14:32

BEIJING -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday expressed sincere sympathy to his US counterpart over the tragic incident on Saturday in which one American citizen was killed and the other injured.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) chats with US President George W. Bush during a meeting in the Zhongnanhai compound in Beijing on August 10, 2008. [Agencies]

"I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to you and the family of the victims over this unfortunate incident," said Hu, while meeting US President George W. Bush in Beijing.

Hu said that the Chinese side has paid great attention to this incident and he has personally instructed the Chinese Foreign Ministry to visit the injured American in the hospital.

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"We started investigation on this case immediately, and will handle it seriously in accordance with the law. We will keep contact with the US side and inform you of the new developments," said the Chinese president.

President Bush thanked China for how it has handled the situation of Todd Bachman and his family, and also thanked Hu for his expression of sympathy.

Bush said that he enjoyed the conservation with Hu, adding that he has had "memorable experience" every time he visited the country.

Describing the grand opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, which he attended on Friday night, as "spectacular", Bush congratulated China on the successful opening of the Games and said he has "fully enjoyed" the Games.

Bush, who watched a swimming final on Sunday morning in which Michael Phelps clinched a men's 400m individual medley gold with a world record-breaking result, said he is looking forward to watching the basketball match between China and the United States scheduled for Sunday night.