LOC10:30
07:30 GMT
TOKYO, Jan 8 (KUNA) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday condemned the gun rampage at a French newspaper office in Paris that killed 12 people, and underlined the importance of Japan's solidarity with France.
In a condolence message delivered to French President Francois Hollande following the shooting spree on Wednesday, Abe said, "I cannot help but be immensely shocked and outraged to hear that the shooting terrorism incident that occurred in Paris has resulted in a large number of casualties," according to the Foreign Ministry.
"Vicious terrorism such as this cannot be tolerated for any reason and I resolutely condemn it," said Abe. While expressing condolences to the victims and their families on behalf of the Japanese government and the people, the premier also stressed that "Japan stands with France at this difficult time." Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida also sent a similar message to his French counterpart Laurent Fabius.
China also strongly condemned the attack, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency from Beijing. "We are deeply shocked at the terrorist attack and strongly condemn it," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Wednesday.
"The Chinese side firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and supports the efforts made by the French side to safeguard domestic security," Hong added.
Three masked and heavily armed men stormed the offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in downtown Paris, killing at least 12 people, including two policemen, and injuring 11 others with four in critical condition. (end)
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