China thanks US for helping relatives of Boston bombing victims

Beijing, April 19 (IANS) China has thanked the US for aiding the relatives of two Chinese victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman said Friday.

Lu Lingzi, a student at Boston University, was killed in the bombing while fellow student Zhou Danling was injured, Xinhua reported.

Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the ministry and the Chinese embassy in the US, as well as the relevant consulate general, have made their utmost efforts to communicate with the US after the tragedy.

Hua said the US has pledged to provide all necessary help.

The US Consulate General in Shenyang has issued visas to Lu's parents to allow them to travel to the US. They will be accompanied by two relatives.

"We are grieving and at a loss for words to describe the pain and sadness we are experiencing following the sudden passing of our dear daughter," said a letter from Lu's family posted on Boston University's website.

Hua said China hopes the US will conduct a thorough investigation as soon as possible and bring to justice those responsible for the bombing.

Zhou has been hospitalised and is in stable condition, according to Chinese consulate officials in New York.

She has undergone two surgeries since being admitted to the Boston Medical Center.

The blasts at the marathon killed three people and injured more than 170.

Meanwhile, Boston University Thursday held a memorial service to mourn the death of Lu Lingzi.

Cen Jianjun, educational counsellor at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, said at the memorial that he hoped students could turn sorrow into strength and make more contribution to social development.

Boston University has set up a scholarship fund in her name and has already received contributions totalling $560,000, according to the fund's online campaign page.

US President Barack Obama also grieved for Lu at an inter-faith service honouring the victims.

"And in the heartache of her family and friends on both sides of the great ocean, we're reminded of the humanity that we all share," Obama said.