- Title: China strongly condemns Kabul airport attacks
- Date: 27th August 2021
- Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (AUGUST 27, 2021) (REUTERS) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ZHAO LIJIAN ARRIVING FOR REGULAR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, ZHAO LIJIAN, SAYING: "China is shocked by and strongly condemns the explosions which took place close to Kabul airport which caused heavy casualties. This incident shows that Afghanistan's security situation is still complex and severe. We hope that all relevant parties take effective measures to ensure that Afghanistan can achieve a smooth transition, so as to guarantee the safety of the citizens of Afghanistan, both Afghans and foreigners living there." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS EXTERIOR OF THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY BUILDING CHINESE FLAG FLYING
- Embargoed: 10th September 2021 12:42
- Keywords: Afghanistan Chinese foreign ministry Kabul Taliban US military
- Location: BEIJING, CHINA
- City: BEIJING, CHINA
- Country: China
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001ES202TJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: China said on Friday (August 27) it strongly condemned the Kabul airport attacks and hoped all parties would take effective measures to ensure a smooth transition, after an Islamic State suicide bomber killed 85 people including 13 U.S. soldiers.
China has not received reports of any Chinese nationals being hurt in Thursday's (August 26) attacks, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular news briefing.
U.S. forces helping to evacuate Afghans desperate to flee Taliban rule were on alert for more attacks on Friday.
Islamic State (ISIS), an enemy of the Islamist Taliban as well as the West, has claimed responsibility. It said one of its suicide bombers targeted "translators and collaborators with the American army."
It was not clear if suicide bombers detonated both blasts or if one was a planted bomb. It was also not clear if ISIS gunmen were involved in the attack or if the firing that followed the blasts was Taliban guards firing into the air to control crowds.
(Production: Wang Shubing, Martin Pollard) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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