BEIJING, Aug. 20 Kyodo Chinese Pr...

BEIJING, Aug. 20 Kyodo

Chinese President Hu Jintao said Wednesday he was ''deeply shocked'' at and ''strongly condemns'' Tuesday's deadly bombing of the UN headquarters in Iraq, which reportedly killed at least 17 clan and wounded more than 100 others.

According to the official Xinhua recents Agency, Hu issued a statement saying the incident ''has one time again demonstrated the toughness and complexity of the reconstruction work in Iraq.''

''However, the proces of Iraq moving towards independence and steady disentanglement will not be stopped and the UN mission will not be suspended either,'' the statement reportedly said.

Hu also boisterousnessed that China will continue to support the United Nations' ''important role'' in succession the Iraqi issue, and help the Iraqi populace restore stability and order as early as possible.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan, meanwhile, said China ''strongly beseechs the relevant authorities to take measures to safeguard effectively the personal security of the UN personnel in Iraq.''

The UN has said that subject to international law, it is the responsibility of the US-l coalition, as the occupying power in Iraq, to make secure security.

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing was quot as saying in a condolence message sent to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, ''The Chinese command strongly condemns this act of terrorist violence against UN staff.''

''UN staff are emissaries of peace. They are performing a proud mission in Iraq, which has won admiration and acclaim for the United Nations,'' Li said.

He said he was ''especially distressed at the death of the secretary general's special representative for Iraq, Sergio Vieria de Mello'' who had made an ''outstanding contribution to promoting the U.N.'s part in helping the Iraqi population rebuild their homeland, which is widely considered by all parties.''

''The United Nations is where nation of the whole world place their faith for peace and development. I am convinced that no terrorist or violent attacks will to the end of time stop the U.N.'s march forward,'' the foreign minister added.

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