Chinese leaders described the embassy bombing as a "barbaric act" and immediately called for a an emergency Security Council session in response to the incident.
The Official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported early this morning that five people were injured and three others were missing after three NATO missiles hit the Chinese embassy. One of the injured, originally listed as missing, was in serious condition after being rescued from the debris, Xinhua said.
Earlier, the news agency quoted Yugoslav officials as saying 26 Chinese embassy staff had been living there.
Chinese analysts in Beijing said that the bombing of the embassy would precipitate a crisis in already strained relations between Beijing and Washington.
The guard at the US embassy in Beijing was strengthened this morning in anticipation of demonstrations. It has already been under tight guard since the war started, with nearby avenues closed to normal traffic. The possibility of unauthorised action is also a matter of concern to the Chinese authorities.
The authorities have discouraged any expressions of popular opposition to the war not tightly controlled by the government.
China, one of five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, has strongly condemned NATO bombings of Yugoslavia, arguing that it was done without the sanction of the United Nations and was therefore illegal under international law. The media has carried daily reports critical of the war.
The UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan said he was "shocked and distressed".
The independent news agency Beta said at least one person had been killed in the attack.
Beta said the victim was among three people trapped inside the building, whom rescuers were trying to bring out.