President Hu Jintao sent a message of condolence on Wednesday to Jordanian King Abdullah II on the heavy casualties caused by explosions in the capital Amman.

Hu, who is on a state visit to Britain, offered condolences on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name, to the victims' families and the injured, and expressed deep grief for those who were killed in the explosions.

At least 57 people have been confirmed dead and more than 120 others injured in a series of blasts that devastated three hotels in Amman on Wednesday night.

According to earlier reports, Jordan's Deputy Prime Marwan Moasher said on state television that over 300 others were wounded in the blasts at the Grand Hyatt, Radisson SAS and Days Inn hotels.

Jordan's King Abdullah II, who is visiting Kazakhstan, condemned the bomb attacks as criminal acts committed by a few stray individuals, Jordanian TV reported.

Hu stressed in his message that the Chinese government condemns all forms of terrorism and is willing to strengthen cooperation with the international community to fight terrorism.

Also on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing sent a letter of condolence to his Jordanian counterpart, Faruq Kassrawi.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that three Chinese nationals were killed and another wounded in the tragedy. They were members of a Chinese delegation visiting the Jordanian capital.

A Chinese official working group left Beijing Thursday evening by plane for Amman of Jordan to handle the aftermath.

The working group consists of officials from the Chinese defense and foreign ministries, sources with the ministries said Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency November 10, 2005)