The Chinese government was shocked and saddened by the assassination of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar who was gunned down late Friday in the capital city Colombo, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said in Beijing on Saturday.

"The Chinese government offers profound condolences and sincere sympathy to the late foreign minister's family," Kong said when asked to comment on the event.

The Chinese government strongly condemns this act of terror and will, as always, support the Sri Lankan government's efforts in seeking national reconciliation, restoring economic development and safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the spokesman said.

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing have sent messages of condolence respectively to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and Deputy Foreign Minister Vishva Warnapala, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2005)