Xi extends condolences over Barcelona terrorist attack

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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a message of condolence to King Felipe VI of Spain over the Barcelona terrorist attack that killed 14 people and injured more than 130 others.

In his message, Xi said he was shocked by the attack.

On behalf of the Chinese government, the people and in his own name, Xi said he mourned for the dead and expressed heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families of the victims.

Forensic police officers search for clues near the area where a van crashed into pedestrians at Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, August 18, 2017./ Reuters Photo

The president said China opposes terrorism in all forms and is ready to work with the international community, including Spain, to strengthen anti-terror cooperation so as to jointly safeguard regional and world peace and stability.

Premier Li Keqiang also sent a message of condolence to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Friday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying on the same day said China condemns the Barcelona terrorist attack, also extending profound condolences to the victims and sympathies to their families and the injured.

A person places a candle on a placard, reading in Spanish and Catalan "Catalonia, place of peace", in the area where a van crashed into pedestrians at Las Ramblas street in Barcelona, Spain August 18, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The Chinese consulate general in Barcelona sent officials to visit the two seriously injured visitors from Taiwan and is offering assistance to them if needed.

Two deadly car rampages in Spain on Thursday spread panic in the country and triggered a sweeping anti-terror operation on Friday morning.