BEIJING, March 15 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday denounced shooting attacks on two mosques of New Zealand's Christchurch City in which at least 49 people were killed and many others were wounded earlier the day.

"China denounces the incident, offers condolences to the victims and extends sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured," spokesperson Lu Kang said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had respectively sent messages of condolence to their counterparts of New Zealand, Lu said.