Beijing condemns attack on consulate

China has strongly condemned a recent attack on its consulate-general in Mandalay, Myanmar, and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

A consulate office building was hit by an explosive device around 5 pm on Friday, damaging part of the consulate compound but causing no casualties, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a news conference on Monday.

The ministry immediately launched an emergency response, Lin added.

China is "deeply shocked" by the attack, he said. "China has lodged solemn representations to Myanmar and urged it to get to the bottom of the incident, make all-out efforts to hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice according to law."

China has also asked Myanmar to step up efforts to protect the Chinese embassy, consulate-general, projects and citizens and make sure similar incidents do not happen again, he said.

Myanmar has expressed "shock and pain" over the incident and vowed to take necessary measures to implement its commitment and international obligations and take on the principal responsibilities to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in the country, Lin added.