Key ally China on Monday said it was “deeply shocked” by NATO airstrikes that left 24 soldiers dead and called for an investigation into the incident.
The deadly strikes early on Saturday by NATO helicopters and fighter jets have raised tensions between Islamabad and Washington, already running high after the killing in May of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden by US Special Forces.
“China is deeply shocked at the incident and expresses strong concerns and deep condolences to the victims in Pakistan,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular news briefing.
“China believes that Pakistan’s independent sovereignty and territory should be respected and that this incident should be earnestly investigated and handled in a serious manner.”
Washington has already backed a full inquiry into the strikes and expressed condolences.
Nonetheless, hundreds of enraged Pakistanis took to the streets on Sunday, burning an effigy of US President Barack Obama and setting fire to American flags across the country of 167 million.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar telephoned US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to convey a “deep sense of rage” as a joint funeral was held for the dead soldiers, their coffins draped in the national flag.
