On the afternoon of September 8, 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao entrusted Chinese Ambassador Liu Guchang to the Russian Federation to convey a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Hu Jintao said, "in the past few days, the terrorist event that took place in Beslan, North Ossetia, Russia has inflicted heavy casualties including many children. The Chinese government and myself are greatly shocked by this event and strongly condemn this cold-blooded terrorist act of violence.

At this moment when the whole Russian nation is heartbroken with grief, I would like to express the most heartfelt solicitude to you and via you to the Russian people, the victims and their families and extend profound condolences to the deceased, on behalf of the Chinese people and in my own name. The Chinese government has decided to provide the Russian government with RMB10 million yuan worth of material assistance to express the sympathy and support from the Chinese people to the Russian people.

Hu Jintao reaffirmed that China resolutely supports every effort by the Russian Federation to safeguard national unity and territorial integrity and protect the security of people's lives and property and stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Russia in resolutely fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism so as to jointly defend regional and world peace, stability and harmony.

HU Jintao expressed the belief that under the leadership of President Putin, the Russian people will surely be able to overcome any difficulty on the road of progress and realize national rejuvenation and prosperity.