BEIJING - China on Monday condemned a terrorist attack at a military base in northern Afghanistan's Mazar-i-Sharif, which killed at least 140 people.

China was shocked by the number of casualties caused by the attack, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a daily press briefing.

He expressed condolences and sincere sympathy to the victims and their families.

"China is concerned about the escalation of violent conflicts in Afghanistan," said Geng, calling on all parties to actively participate in an "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned" peace and reconciliation process, and safeguard the country's peace and development.

Last Friday, 10 Taliban militants wearing army uniforms opened fire on scores of unarmed soldiers and officers in and around a mosque and a dining hall on a military base located on the outskirts of Mazar-i-Sharif city, capital of Balkh province in northern Afghanistan.