New Delhi, Nov 22, : .The Chinese Foreign Ministry Monday asked overseas Chinese-invested companies and Chinese citizens to increase security precautions following recent kidnappings in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.The remarks were made by Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Zhao said that five Chinese citizens were taken into captivity in Sud Kivu, DRC early Sunday morning.
One police officer was also killed in an attack on the miner’s firm by the armed group.
Zhao stated that the Chinese Foreign Ministry had instructed the Chinese Embassy to activate the emergency response mechanism in DRC after hearing about the incident and had made contact with the local authorities to coordinate rescue efforts to protect the hostages.
Zhao stated that eight other Chinese nationals were also transferred with the company to safe locations.
According to a liaison worker with the DRC economics and commerce section of the Chinese Embassy, a search operation is underway and the employees are in touch with the government.
Zhao said also that on Friday, three Chinese nationals who were employed in a China-invested company in the Kogi State of Nigeria had been kidnapped and killed by unknown attackers.According to the report, Nigeria established an elite investigation team for rescue operations.
Zhao stated that this year, there were several cases of Chinese national kidnapping in Nigeria and the DRC.Chinese foreign ministry and the relevant Chinese consulates repeatedly remind Chinese nationals to avoid these areas and to leave immediately if they are able to.
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