Beijing delivered a stern message to Islamabad saying it needs to improve and enhance the safety of Chinese citizens living in Pakistan. The message to Pakistan came a day after two Chinese nationals were reported, kidnapped, in restive Balochistan.
With the presence of the Chinese in Pakistan set to increase, thanks to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), their safety has become a growing concern for Beijing.
The Chinese state-run news outlet Global Times said in an article that the Chinese have often been targeted in Pakistan "despite the friendly relations between" Pakistan and China. It's no wonder then that as soon their nationals - Chinese language teachers - were abducted Wednesday, China launched what it calls its 'emergency response mechanism'.
"The Chinese government attaches great importance to the safety of overseas Chinese citizens and condemns the abduction of personnel in any form," said China's foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang yesterday. "The Chinese government will work with the Pakistani side to make the utmost efforts for the early and safe release of the kidnapped personnel.".
China also made it clear that Pakistan must "take every necessary measure" to rescue the two Chinese nationals.
"The Chinese government attaches great importance to the safety of overseas Chinese citizens and condemns the abduction of personnel in any form," said China's foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang yesterday. "The Chinese government will work with the Pakistani side to make the utmost efforts for the early and safe release of the kidnapped personnel.".
China also made it clear that Pakistan must "take every necessary measure" to rescue the two Chinese nationals.
Only last December, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told China that Pakistan has raised a 15,000-strong armed force specifically to safeguard Chinese nationals working in the country for the $50 billion-odd CPEC project. Reportedly, there are close to 8,000 Chinese nationals working in Pakistan.