The kidnapping of five Chinese workers in Nigeria over the
weekend sounds an alarm bell that the safety of the ever-increasing
number of Chinese working overseas needs to be high on the agenda
of our diplomatic missions.
With the country getting increasingly involved in globalization,
the total number of Chinese engaged in economic activities overseas
has surpassed 600,000, with more than 8,000 firms and relevant
institutions spread around 170 countries.
The kidnapping or killing of Chinese engineers and workers by
gangsters in Pakistan, Iraq, Russia, South Africa and other
countries speaks volumes on the potential danger our compatriots
face on foreign soil.
This situation places a higher demand on our diplomatic missions
overseas to have better knowledge of security situations in their
resident country so that they can help make detailed security plans
for Chinese companies and institutions which set up offices or
start businesses there.
As a matter of fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has done a
great deal in this regard. Many embassies have emergency plans for
similar cases.
When military conflicts escalated between Israel and Hezbollah
in southern Lebanon last July, the Chinese embassy activated its
emergency plan to help dozens of Chinese withdraw from the city of
Beirut.
Chinese embassy in Kinshasa issued safety guidance to Chinese
compatriots when a riot took place there in November 2006.
All this suggests that our diplomatic missions are moving in the
right direction to keep our compatriots safe abroad.
In addition, those working in a foreign land need to learn more
about local conditions and to pay more attention to their personal
safety.
It is a great relief to learn that both Chinese and Nigerian
authorities are working hard for the rescue of the five kidnap
victims.
We hope that the five will return unharmed. We also hope that
this case will further increase the vigilance of our diplomatic
missions and those working in a foreign land against such
misfortunes.
(China Daily January 8, 2007)
