Probe underway to verify ISIL claims that two Chinese people were killed

The Foreign Ministry has been attempting to ascertain what happened to two Chinese nationals kidnapped in Pakistan after the ISIL-affiliated Amaq news agency reported yesterday they had been killed.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Friday that inquiries are underway to verify the situation through various diplomatic channels.

The two Chinese nationals, working as teachers in Pakistan, were kidnapped in southwestern Baluchistan province last month.

Amaq issued a statement yesterday saying, "ISIL fighters killed two Chinese people they had been holding in Baluchistan Province, southwest Pakistan."

Hua said China was aware of the announcement and had serious concerns over the alleged incident.

Pakistan earlier provided information to China indicating that the two teachers might have already been killed, but the Foreign Ministry is making every effort to verify the information, said Hua.

The identities of the Chinese nationals have not been released although Hua said that according to initial investigations they are not a couple and come from different provinces.

Hua reiterated China’s opposition to any form of terrorism, saying the country will continue to strengthen cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road Initiative to provide a safe environment for Chinese workers in the region.

(CGTN)