BEIJING, July 5 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday called Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to offer condolences over the deadly hostage crisis in Dhaka.

Li said China strongly condemns the hostage incident carried out by terrorists which caused heavy casualties.

On behalf of the Chinese government, Li expressed deep sympathy to the victims of the terror attack, and sincere condolences to the injured and families of the victims.

He also said China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and will continue to support all efforts made by the Bangladeshi government and people in fighting terrorism and safeguarding national security.

Twenty civilians and two policemen were killed in Bangladesh's worst-ever hostage crisis, and 40 others were injured at a Spanish restaurant in a diplomatic zone of Dhaka on Friday night. Six gunmen were killed and one was captured and detained alive.