China said Wednesday it believes Pakistan can maintain national stability and unity, after the assassination of the governor of the country's Punjab Province.

"China is shocked by the incident. We extend our sympathies to the family of Salman Taseer, the governor of Pakistan's Punjab, the country's largest province," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.

Taseer was shot and killed in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, on Tuesday afternoon, reportedly by one of his own security officials.

"We believe the Pakistani government will properly handle the incident and maintain national stability and unity," Hong said.

The governor took office in 2008 and was a member of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). He is said to be survived by his wife and six children.