China Perspective

Embassy keeping eye on situation

By Zhou Wa (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-01-18 08:21
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BEIJING - As Tunisian security forces used water cannons, tear gas and fired shots in the air to disperse demonstrators on Monday, the Chinese embassy in Tunisia said that Chinese residents in the country are safe.

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"China's embassy in Tunisia attaches great importance to the safety of Chinese residents in the country and has taken a series of measures to protect them," the embassy told China Daily by fax on Monday.

There are over 370 Chinese residents in Tunisia now, one-third of them in the capital Tunis. Most of them are employees of Chinese companies, medical personnel, volunteers and students, according to the embassy, which confirmed that five Chinese female students are seeking refuge in the embassy.

"Massive unrest around Tunisia has already stopped and the tension is easing, but it is hard to predict how the situation will develop. We will pay close attention to it," the embassy said.

Tunisia has been in a state of chaos since the ousting of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. A new government of national unity was due to be unveiled on Monday.

Embassy keeping eye on situation

The new government is set to include opposition leaders for the first time - a move aimed at stabilizing the violence-wracked nation.

Parliamentary Speaker Foued Mebazaa is now interim president with the backing of the army. Mebazaa said at the weekend that all Tunisians without exception would now be able to take part in national politics and called for a unity government for the greater national interest.

Presidential and parliamentary elections are expected to be held in two months.

Since the unrest began in December, the Chinese embassy has been offering the latest information about flights and the current situation in Tunisia to all the Chinese there and asked them to stay away from dangerous areas.

A few cafes and groceries reopened on Monday in the center of Tunis, the scene of violent clashes in the days running up to Ben Ali's flight, as security forces continued their lockdown of the city center.

But police were seen using tear gas to break up a demonstration on the main avenue in central Tunis on Monday, and helicopters were circling overhead.

China's National Tourism Administration has also reminded Chinese travelers who plan to visit Tunisia to avoid visiting places of unrest and crowded areas.

Agencies contributed to this story.

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