China condemns attack on Hong Kong tourists

China has condemned the killing of eight Hong Kong tourists by a disgruntled ex-policeman who hijacked their bus in the Philippines and has demanded an investigation into the attack.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi telephoned his counterpart Alberto Romulo to voice his concern about the incident.

"The Chinese government demands the Philippine government launch a thorough investigation into the incident and inform the Chinese side of related details as soon as possible," Yang said, according to a statement posted on the ministry's website late Monday.

Yang said the Chinese government "was appalled" by the murders.

The tourists were killed in a 12-hour hostage drama aboard the hijacked bus in Manila. The standoff ended when police stormed the vehicle and a sniper killed the ex-policeman, who had been demanding his job back.

In a separate statement Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said China had already sent a team to Manila to deal with the aftermath of the hijacking.

"China has requested the Philippine side to take pragmatic measures to ensure life and property safety of Chinese nationals in the country," he said.

The countries generally have good relations, although there have been strains because of competing territorial claims in the South China Sea that include its potentially rich oil and gas deposits and strategically important shipping lanes.

Seven other tourists were on the bus and two of them were wounded and in serious condition.

In Hong Kong, the leader of the Chinese territory, Donald Tsang, called the attack a tragedy.

"It's disappointing that Hong Kong residents tried t make a pleasure trip to Manila and ended up with death and casualties. This is very tragic. And the way it was handled and particularly the outcome I found it disappointing," Tsang said.