?[By Zhai Haijun/China.org.cn]

It is not the first time we learn, in a painful way, that terrorist attacks can be on anyone, no matter how old they are or which country they come from.

An eight-year-old boy, a "dream daughter" aged 29, and a Chinese citizen whose identity was not disclosed at the request of the victim's family, lost their lives in the Boston Marathon attacks.

Twin bombs exploded near the finish line where fans, friends and families gathered to cheer for the triumphant moment of completion for the 24,000 runners on Monday.

An event of joy and celebration was suddenly turned into a traumatic memory of death and destruction.

The deep sense of shock, anger, frustration and a desire for justice are felt not only in the United States. Any country, whose flag is flying at the scene of the blast, would share American people's grief and resolve to never let the tragedy happen again.

In an age of globalization, no country can be immune from terrorist threats. An indiscriminate attack on the public, with devices so easily made, can leave families of different nationalities, races and colors in mourning.

The deadly blast near the finish line is a cruel reminder that the human race is far from finishing the marathon toward peace and safety.

It needs more efforts of the international community to build a harmonious world free from terror and tear.

In this regard, China and the United States, both victims of the latest terrorist attack, shared common ground. As two major powers, the pair can jointly play a constructive role in promoting global counter-terrorism cooperation.

In this highly interconnected world, people of all countries are becoming more susceptible to terrorist attacks. The Boston assault serves yet another reminder of the danger and the task for every nation ahead.