Chinese President Hu Jintao's scheduled visit to the United States was postponed due to the disaster of Hurricane Katrina, Chinese Foreign Ministry said in Beijing Saturday night in a press release.

The release said Hu and US President George W. Bush had a phone conversation on Saturday and they agreed to postpone the scheduled visit due to the special condition faced with the US government in handling the serious natural disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina.

"The heads of state decided that they will have meeting during their presence at the United Nations 60th anniversary summit in New York in mid September," said the release.

Hu is scheduled to pay a state visit to the United States from Sept. 5 to Sept. 8.

Bush was quoted by the release as saying that he expected Hu's important visit to the United States at a time of mutual convenience.

Both Hu and Bush expressed the willingness to jointly push forward the constructive and cooperative relations between China and the United States, said the release.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Bush briefed Hu about the serious casualty caused by Hurricane Katrina in three southern states of the United States. Bush said the US government is going all out to organize disaster relief.

Bush emphasized that the US government and people highly appreciate the friendly assistance the Chinese government and people offered.

The Chinese government has offered US$5 million worth of aid to the United States and will also send rescue workers to help with medical treatment and epidemic prevention in the disaster-stricken areas, Chinese Foreign Ministry announced earlier.

Hu was quoted by the release as saying that the Chinese people will firmly stand together with the US people who are faced with a difficult time of severe natural disaster.

It says that Hu also expressed the belief that the US government and people will be able to overcome the disaster and rebuild their home.

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2005)