On October 28, 2008, learning that the some of the 9 workers of China National Petroleum Corporation kidnapped in Sudan were killed and some still missing, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi immediately told Sudanese Foreign Minister Deng Alor that it was one of the most serious incidents of Chinese workers killed abroad in recent years. China is shocked by the murder and expresses strong indignation and condemnation for the inhumane terrorist deed of the kidnappers in killing those unarmed Chinese workers.

Yang said that the Chinese leaders and government attach great importance to the kidnapping and require full efforts to be made to rescue the hostages under the precondition of ensuring their safety. We hope the Sudanese side continues to do all it could to rescue the missing men, punish the kidnappers seriously, and take tangible and effective measures to ensure no such incident will happen again.

Alor noted that the Sudanese government and people would like to extend grief over the dead and sincere condolence to the Chinese government and people and the families of the victims. The Sudanese government will continue to make full efforts to rescue the missing Chinese workers, hunt the killers and ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Sudan.