Planes to bring back Chinese stranded in Thai airport
The Chinese government on Friday said it would arrange flights to bring back Chinese passengers stranded in Bangkok because of the closure of Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
"The Chinese government has been highly concerned about the situation of Chinese citizens who are stranded in Thailand and the Chinese embassy has conveyed sympathy and offered assistance to them," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang in a press release.
"In view of the closure of Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, the Chinese government has activated its emergency response mechanism and is preparing to send chartered planes to bring back Chinese citizens as soon as possible," Qin said.
"The Chinese government is now checking out information regarding the stranded citizens and arranging an airport for the landing of the planes."
Many foreigners are reportedly stranded in Bangkok after anti-government protesters in Thailand laid siege to the country's main international airport earlier this week.
More than 1,000 Chinese citizens are said to be among the trapped foreigners, including tourists from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
Xinhua
(China Daily 11/29/2008 page11)
