BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- China strongly condemns a bomb attack that killed more than 70 people Thursday in Iraq's Baghdad, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a press release on Friday.

Hua expressed condolences on the victims of the blast and sympathy to their families and the wounded.

The massive blast at a market place in the capital city of Iraq killed 76 people and wounded more than 200.

Hua said the Chinese side is firmly opposed to any form of terrorism.

She said China supports the effort of the Iraqi government to maintain national security and stability.

The Islamic State (IS) militant group on Thursday claimed responsibility for the truck bomb attack.