On December 28, 2007, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei, on behalf of the Chinese government, went to the Pakistani embassy in Beijing to express China's condolences for the death of Benazir Bhutto, the former Pakistani prime minister and chairman of the Pakistan People's Party. He wrote in a condolence book that China expressed deep condolences for the death of Bhutto, an excellent Pakistani politician and old friend of the Chinese people. He said to Salman Bashir, Pakistan's ambassador to China, that China expressed its deep feeling of grief for the assassination and extended its sympathy to the Bhutto family members. He added China appreciated Bhutto's contribution to promoting China-Pakistan friendship. He noted China hoped the people of Pakistan could overcome the current difficulty as soon as possible and jointly safeguard social stability and development of the country.