People gather around a memorial in Brussels following bomb attacks in Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. (Photo: China News Service/ Shen Chen)
China condemns Brussels attacks
China strongly condemned the attacks on Brussels Tuesday, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
China firmly opposes terrorism in all forms, said spokesperson Hua Chunying in a statement, offering deep condolences to the families of the victims.
"The Chinese people stand with the Belgians and the Europeans," she said.
China is willing to enhance cooperation with Belgium and the international community to jointly face the threats and challenges posed by terrorism to safeguard world peace and stability, said Hua.
She said the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Belgium are closely monitoring the latest developments to see if there were any Chinese nationals among the victims.
According to media reports, at least 34 people were killed in explosions at an airport and at a city metro station in Brussels.
Belgium on high alert after blasts
Bombings at Brussels Airport, subway kill more than 30 in country's 'black moment'
At least 34 people were killed in twin attacks on Brussels International Airport and a rush-hour subway train in the Belgian capital on Tuesday, triggering security alerts across Western Europe.
Officials at China's embassy in Belgium said that there had been no reports so far of Chinese killed or injured in the attacks. The emergency unit of University Hospital Saint-Luc, which is near the airport, said there were no Asians known to be among those sent there for treatment.
The embassy has asked Chinese to exercise caution if they plan to visit Belgium.
Belgian public broadcaster VRT put the death toll from the attacks in Brussels at 34, with 20 people killed in the blast on a subway train and 14 in explosions at the airport.
"What we feared has happened," Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel told reporters. "In this time of tragedy, this black moment for our country, I appeal to everyone to remain calm but also to show solidarity."
Michel canceled his visit to China. He had been scheduled to attend the Boao Forum this week.
"The visit has been canceled due tow hat happened in Brussels," a source told China Daily on Tuesday.
A witness said he heard shouts in Arabic shortly before two explosions struck a packed departure lounge at Brussels Airport. A federal prosecutor said one of the blasts was probably triggered by a suicide bomber.
There was still some uncertainty about the number of casualties.
