China condemns killing of kidnapped workers in Sudan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-28 16:33

BEIJING - China on Tuesday condemned the killing of five Chinese workers who were kidnapped in Sudan, urging the country to take all measures to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals.

"We feel strong indignation and condemn the terrorist act by the kidnappers on unarmed Chinese company staff," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular press conference.

Chinese government has expressed condolence to the victims' families and relatives, according to the spokeswoman.

The Sudanese side reported to the Chinese embassy in Sudan that five of the nine kidnapped Chinese workers were killed on Monday, according to Jiang. Two others were rescued and the other two were still missing.

The nine Chinese workers from the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) were kidnapped in an oil field near the western Sudanese region of Darfur on October 18.

The Chinese embassy said they were taken by unknown militants at the Southern Kordofan State, but up to now no armed group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

Jiang said the Foreign Ministry has urged the joint working group in Sudan, composed by the Chinese embassy and the CNPC, to continue the rescue work, and properly handle the aftermath.