BEIJING - China said here Monday that Pakistan's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity should be respected.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks during a daily press briefing while commenting on the NATO bombing of two Pakistani border posts.

China was shocked by the incident and expresses deep condolences to the victims, Hong said, while also calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.

A total of 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 13 others injured when NATO fighter jets and helicopters bombed two border posts in Mohmand tribal region near the Afghan border early Saturday morning.