China on Monday expressed sympathy to the families of the victims killed in a mutiny in Bangladesh last week.

The mutiny by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) border guards, over pay and other benefits last Wednesday at their headquarters in the west of the capital Dhaka, has killed at least 81 people.

The bloody revolt came to an end with the surrender of the mutineers in the evening last Thursday.

"As a friendly neighbor, China hopes Bangladesh can maintain a stable political situation, with continuous economic development and social harmony," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang in a news release.

He said China hopes and believes that Bangladesh, with the concerted efforts of the Bangladeshi government and people, will keep peace, stability and solidarity.

Tens of thousands of Bangladeshis attended a state funeral in the capital on Monday. National and army flags were draped over the coffins.

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2009)