China has strongly condemned the assassination of Pakistani
opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, describing it as an "act of
terror".
"We are shocked and would like to convey our condolences to the
families of Benazir Bhutto and other victims," Foreign Ministry
spokesman Qin Gang said last night.
Some Chinese experts said the assassination could be the
handiwork of terrorists in order to destabilize Pakistan and hamper
President Pervez Musharraf's efforts to fight militancy.
The experts, however, said Pakistan is not likely to plunge into
chaos because Musharraf still enjoys strong support at home,
especially from the military, and abroad.
"Terrorists owing allegiance to Al-Qaida and Taliban could be
behind the assassination," said Sun Shihai, an expert on South
Asian studies with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "The act
could be in retaliation to Musharraf administration's anti-terror
collaboration with the US."
Sun said more terrorist activities could follow after the
assassination, but the general situation in the country would be
stable. "And I think the general election (on January 8) will be
held on schedule."
The death of Bhutto is a heavy blow to the Pakistan People's
Party, said Fu Xiaoqiang, a researcher with China Institute of
Contemporary International Relations.
"Having lost their leader, the PPP is very likely to get a lot
of sympathy votes. But it cannot find a new leader immediately to
take the place of the experienced Bhutto...," Fu said.
(China Daily December 28, 2007)
