First batch of Chinese citizens moved out to safety

The first batch of Chinese students had been evacuated from Ukraine on Monday, including more than 400 from Odessa and 200 from Kyiv, according to multiple media reports citing the Chinese embassy in Ukraine.

Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Fan Xianrong saw the students off from Kyiv on Monday, wishing them a safe and smooth journey. The students traveled by bus to neighboring country Moldova, with embassy staff escorts and local police accompanying them to ensure their safety at all times.

About 1,000 more Chinese nationals were scheduled to be evacuated from Ukraine on Tuesday to neighboring countries including Poland and Slovakia, said the embassy.

The embassy said on Tuesday that the official website of Ukrainian Railways issued a notice to open special trains from Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other cities to western Ukrainian cities and neighboring countries since Tuesday.

All foreign citizens, including Chinese citizens, can take the train with their valid passports. The daily departure time is uncertain and will be released in the early morning of that day, said the embassy in a statement.

Given the fast-changing situation in Ukraine, the embassy has set up round-the-clock communications, providing additional contact channels. On Friday, the embassy issued an emergency notice on the evacuation of Chinese citizens and has been receiving more than 1,000 calls a day for inquiries.

More than 6,000 Chinese nationals have so far registered for evacuation, according to media reports.

A number of neighboring countries including Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland will provide assistance to Chinese nationals coming from Ukraine, said the embassy in a statement issued on Monday.

Under the embassy's arrangements, these countries will facilitate the entry of Chinese nationals by granting temporary visa-free access to valid passport holders, or offering assistance at customs clearance for fast entry.