Hu expresses sympathy over death of American tourist

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-10 12:10

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.

"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.

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]

"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.

A Chinese man attacked two American tourists and a Chinese tour guide in downtown Beijing on Saturday shortly after noon.

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) issued a statement Saturday on its official website, identifying the American nationals as Todd and Barbara Bachman of Lakeville, Minn. -- parents of 2004 volleyball Olympian Elisabeth "Wiz" Bachman and in-laws of US men's volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon.

The USOC confirmed Bachman died from knife wounds and that Barbara Bachman and their Chinese tour guide, who was also injured in the attack, were being treated and in stable condition at a Beijing hospital. Elisabeth Bachman was with them at the time of the attack, but uninjured.

The attacker then killed himself by jumping from 130-foot high balcony on the historic Drum Tower, a popular tourist site, after the incident, a spokesman with the Beijing Municipal Government Information Office said,the motive for the attack remains unknown.

The attacker was identified as 47-year-old Tang Yongming from the eastern city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, according to an ID card found on his body.

BOCOG 'Deeply Saddened'

Organizers of the Beijing Olympic Games expressed condolence and sympathy to the families and relatives of those in Saturday's attack.

"The BOCOG is deeply saddened to learn the tragic attack," said Wang Wei, a spokesman with the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 29th Olympic Games, at a joint conference with the International Olympic Committee on Sunday morning.

Foreign Ministry Pays High Attention to the Attack

Senior officials from department of consular affairs of Chinese Foreign Ministry has immediately informed the case to the US embassy in China.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei promptly came to the hospital to see the injured US tourists and informed the US ambassador in China Clark Randt.

He has expressed deep sympathy to the US government and the relatives of the victims. "The Chinese government paid high attention to this case. Relevant law enforcement department has undertaken serious investigation and would promptly handle the case in accordance with the Chinese law."

The Chinese side will make every effort to save the wounded, and timely inform the investigation and its results to the US side.

Randt thanked China's sympathy to the victims and the prompt response from relevant Chinese departments.