China condemns Yemen defense ministry attack

China has condemned Thursday morning's deadly terrorist attack on the Yemeni Defense Ministry Complex that killed at least 52 people.

"China opposes terrorism in any form," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular press briefing on Friday.

Two suicide car bombers and 12 gunmen stormed the Yemeni Defense Ministry Complex in the capital Sanaa, killing at least 52 people and wounding up to 167 others, the country's Supreme Security Committee said.

Yemen is at a crucial period of political transition, said Hong, voicing hope that parties in the country could make joint efforts to realize national stability and development at an early date.

Yemeni government officials blamed al-Qaidafor the attack, saying it bore the hallmarks of the Islamic militants.

Yemen has been undergoing a transitional political period after a year of mass protests that eased former President Ali Abdullah Saleh from power in 2012.