China said Wednesday it is highly concerned and firmly condemns the assassination of Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. "We are greatly concerned about the incident, firmly oppose and condemn the assassination, and are deeply worried that this incident may lead to further instability in the region," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news briefing in Beijing when asked to comment on a Hamas statement that Haniyeh had been killed by an Israeli attack in Tehran. "China always stands for resolving regional disputes through negotiations and dialogue," Lin noted, adding that a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire should be realized in Gaza as soon as possible to avoid further escalation of conflict and confrontation. Source: Kuwait News Agency