Premier Li Keqiang extended his condolences on Wednesday in a telegraph to German Chancellor Angela Merkel following the Christmas market terror attack in Berlin.

The premier said he was shocked by the deadly terrorist attack on Monday that claimed the lives of 12 people and injured 49 others.

On behalf of the Chinese government, Li expressed his sincere condolences to the victims' families and expressed his wishes that those injured would make a speedy and full recovery.

China firmly supports Germany's endeavors to fight terrorism and safeguard its national security, the premier said. China is also willing to work with Germany and the international community to safeguard peace and security by strengthening cooperation in this field, he added.

The atrocity took place on Monday night when a lorry ploughed into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin.

The IS-linked Amaq news agency said "a soldier of the Islamic State" carried out the atrocity. The prime suspect remains at large.

The attack came at a sensitive time for Merkel who is running for a fourth term in 2017 but has been criticized, by some, over her decision to open the country's borders to refugees.