China vows to get captives back safely

New steps promised to protect citizens and assets after two language teachers abducted from Quetta

China said yesterday that it would do all it can to ensure the safe return of two citizens kidnapped in Pakistan and it promised new measures to protect Chinese people and companies working in the country, an important link on its Silk Road infrastructure plan.

Gunmen pretending to be policemen kidnapped two Chinese language teachers in the city of Quetta, in the violence-plagued province of Balochistan, on Wednesday.

“China will continue to make maximum efforts alongside Pakistan to strive for the safe return of the kidnapped individuals as soon as possible,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang told a regular briefing in Beijing.

“We will also take further actions to ensure the safety of Chinese individuals and organisations in Pakistan,” he added.

China has pledged to invest $57 billion in new rail, road and power infrastructure across Pakistan as a flagship project within its sweeping Belt and Road initiative to tie Asia to Europe and Africa by reviving ancient Silk Road trade routes.

Chinese officials have repeatedly urged Pakistan to strengthen security for its companies and individuals, especially in resource-rich Balochistan, where China is building a port and funding roads to link its western regions with the Arabian Sea.

No claim of responsibility

No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

In the past, Islamist militant groups have kidnapped foreigners in Pakistan for ransom or to drum up publicity for their cause.

Separatist rebels also operate in Balochistan as do criminal gangs.

Police in Quetta told Reuters the teachers did not work on Beijing-funded ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor projects as they did not have guards.

Pakistan provides security for all Chinese workers on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects in Balochistan.