China last night said it condemned all terrorist violence in its initial response to the tragedy in the US.
While news organisations all over the world were broadcasting live the horrific events which costs thousands of lives, Chinese State TV channels were still not broadcasting news of the disaster almost five hours after the event.
The 1 a.m. CCTV 9 English-language news service ran with domestic political stories including the visit of the Chinese Premier, Mr Zhu Rongji, to Russia.
It was three hours after the tragedy before the official news agency, Xinhua, and the official People's Daily online edition ran reports.
The Chinese President, Mr Jiang Zemin, sent a message of sympathy to the US President, Mr George W Bush, the US government and American people following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
In the message conveyed more than three hours after the attacks, President Zemin said he also wanted to send his condolences to the family members of the victims.
He expressed his concern also for the safety of Chinese people in the US following the attacks.
A foreign ministry spokesman said the Chinese government has "consistently condemned and opposed all manner of terrorist violence".
Mr Zhu Bangzao said the Chinese people were deeply shocked by the disastrous attacks against the US in New York, Washington and some other areas, that caused devastating casualties.
Despite the virtual blackout of coverage on state TV and radio, news did filter through to the Chinese public through local radio and the internet and those with access to cable TV through illegal satellite dishes.
Chinese media is heavily censored at the best of times and usually takes its time before reacting to major events.
There was extra security around the US embassy in downtown Beijing early today. A few reporters waited outside for a possible comment from US embassy officials.
One border guard on duty outside a nearby diplomatic compound said he had not heard of what had unfolded in the US.
Relations between China and the US have been strained in recent times following the spy plane crisis and the decision by the US to sell arms to Taiwan.
Mr Bush, is due to pay his first visit to China as president to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meeting in Shanghai. He will also visit Beijing. According to Dr Brendan Smith, Professor of International Relations in the Foreign Affairs College in Beijing, it is not uncommon for slow responses from China.
"At the moment the Chinese leadership will be weighing up the approach they will take in response to the various attacks in the US. If this turns out to be the work of an international terrorist group, the early attitude from the Chinese Government may influence the extent of the military response the United States will take," he said.
The Hong Kong chief executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, also expressed his shock and concern at the events.