(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-29 07:36

The Chinese government on Friday sent a message of condolence to Pakistan on the death of its opposition leader and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

In the message, Beijing said it was shocked to learn of the assassination. It called Bhutto "a seasoned statesman and an old friend of the Chinese people, who made significant contributions to the promotion of friendly relations between China and Pakistan during her lifetime".

China extends profound condolences on Bhutto's death and sincere sympathy to her family, it said.