CHINA-HOSTAGE China says man reportedly held by IS "matches characteristics" of Chinese citizen

Record ID: 139986

  • Title: CHINA-HOSTAGE China says man reportedly held by IS "matches characteristics" of Chinese citizen
  • Date: 11th September 2015
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (SEPTEMBER 11, 2015) (REUTERS) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, HONG LEI, WALKING IN FOR REGULAR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, HONG LEI, SAYING: "After initial verification of the relevant media reports of the two hostages, one of them matches the characteristics of a Chinese citizen who has gone missing overseas. After finding out about the incident in question, the relevant Chinese departments have instigated emergency support and begun related works. China declares that the Chinese government resolutely opposes any form of violent actions directed at innocent civilians." NEWS BRIEFING IN PROGRESS EXTERIOR OF CHINA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY CHINESE FLAG FLYING
  • Embargoed: 26th September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA1YC7RONSCPXRW07U44U04TC94
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: China's Foreign Ministry said on Friday (September 11) that a Chinese national reported as being held hostage by Islamic State insurgents matches the "characteristics" of one of its missing citizens.
    Islamic State, which controls territory in Iraq and Syria, published two photographs of men they called "prisoners" in their English-language magazine Dabiq this week.
    The group said one was from Norway and the second a Chinese man identified as Fan Jinghui.
    The hardline Islamist group has over the past year beheaded an unknown number of hostages, including Western prisoners and people from the Middle East.
    "After initial verification of the relevant media reports of the two hostages, one of them matches the characteristics of a Chinese citizen who has gone missing overseas. After finding out about the incident in question, the relevant Chinese departments have instigated emergency support and begun related works. China declares that the Chinese government resolutely opposes any form of violent actions directed at innocent civilians," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters at a regular news briefing.
    The magazine shows Fan, identified as a 50-year-old "freelance consultant" from Beijing, against a black background wearing a yellow top, and provides a telegram number for anyone who wishes to pay his ransom. It is unclear where he is being held and did not give a ransom amount.
    Chinese citizens have been held hostage before overseas, including in Africa and Pakistan.
    A Chinese tourist kidnapped in Pakistan by the Taliban more than a year ago was freed in August, the result of an intelligence operation, according to Pakistani officials, though few details have emerged.
    China has repeatedly denounced Islamist militants and urged the world to step up coordination in combating Islamic State, though it has been reluctant to get involved on the ground in Syria and Iraq where the group largely operates.
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