Q: it is reported that on October 9, two Chinese engineers were kidnapped by unidentified abductors at the northwestern border of Pakistan. Please confirm the report and comment.

A: On the morning of October 9, two Chinese engineers, working on the Gomal Zam Hydroelectric project, were kidnapped by unidentified abductors. They have not been rescued up to this moment.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan attach high attention to the incident and make urgent representations to the Pakistani side. They express China's great concern for the safety of the kidnapped Chinese engineers and urged the Pakistani Government to take effective measures to find the whereabouts of the Chinese engineers, ensure their safety and spare no effort in their rescue. Moreover, the Chinese side requests the Pakistani side to further strengthen security work for the Chinese personnel working on Pakistani projects and their project sites.