Beijing: China on Friday strongly condemned a terror attack on its consulate in the Pakistani port city of Karachi that killed two policemen and urged its all-weather ally to take “practical measures” to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in the country.

Three heavily-armed gunmen stormed the Chinese consulate in Karachi and exchanged gunfire with security forces who shot them down.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said all consular staff and their families were safe following the attack.

“China strongly condemns any violent attacks against diplomatic agencies and requests that Pakistan takes practical measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in the country,” Geng said at a regular press conference.

Geng said the attackers did not enter the consulate and the exchange of fire took place outside the mission.

“We highly appreciate the efforts of the Pakistani side,” he said when asked about Pakistan’s response to the attack.

He said the attack would not affect Beijing’s commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which seeks to connect its western province Xinjiang with the Arabian Sea port of Gwadar, in Balochistan.

“China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners,” the spokesman asserted.

“With the broad support of the two peoples, it (CPEC) is proceeding in an orderly manner. China will continue to work with Pakistan to firmly move forward with the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” he said.