The Chinese government issued a security warning to its citizens abroad soon after a Korean national was kidnapped and beheaded in Iraq. China now faces unprecedented new diplomatic challenges in coping with international terrorism.

The security of Chinese citizens overseas has become a matter of concern. Chinese nationals have been victims of abduction in Iraq and an explosion in Jerusalem and they have died in Pakistan and in Afghanistan.

As news reports bring word of these changing times, new expressions like abduction, detainment, terrorist attack, and labor exploitation are being heard only too often across China.

The Chinese government is now facing the new problem of how to cope with international terrorism. China has recently set up a foreign-oriented Safety Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to handle any incidents affecting Chinese nationals overseas.

"Chinese people seldom went abroad before opening-up and reform was brought in," said Luo Tianguang, director-general of the Consular Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Only 200,000 went abroad in 1978, which contrasts with 20 million in 2003, up 100 times."

"Incidents are sure to happen as more and more Chinese go abroad," Luo said. "It will be hard to tell when, where and what might happen in every corner of the world."

Chinese citizens overseas not free from terrorist attacks

"The problems that Chinese people meet when abroad are now increasing, even compared with other countries." said Luo Tianguang. "Hundreds of cases have to be dealt with every year by the Consular Bureau in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The bureau is also dealing with an increasing number of cases directly in accordance with the regulations."

Chinese nationals can meet a range of different dangers when abroad. Labor exploitation issues and abductions are more common in the Middle East and Africa. Individual's rights and interests may be infringed in the developed countries. There can be fishery disputes in the maritime nations, with some even involving territorial issues. Then there are the international criminal organizations which have significantly stepped up their activities in illegal migration, trafficking in people, black market labor exploitation and drugs since China introduced extensive new opportunities for self-funded overseas travel. And Chinese nationals can also find themselves caught up in events in countries where the political situation is volatile.

"The old concept that Chinese nationals will not be victims of terrorist attacks has to be changed," said Li Wei, director of the Anti-terrorism Research Center of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.

"China is now playing an increasingly important role in international cooperation and reconstruction in a number of countries. This is one reason why Chinese-targeted terrorist attacks are on the increase," Li said.

Japan's Daily Yomiuri attributes the more frequent attacks on Chinese nationals to China's increased power in the world coupled with the proliferation of terrorist organizations.

Emergency response mechanism protects Chinese citizens overseas

Chinese people abroad know they can seek help from their consulates. With incidents on the increase, the Foreign Ministry issued a revised version of its publication, A Guide Book to Protection and Service from Overseas Consulates last May.

Chinese citizens can not only get a free copy of the guide book in any of its diplomatic and other foreign oriented institutions, but can also get an electronic version on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition the website releases ad hoc warnings as necessary to advise Chinese to avoid any currently volatile areas.

China had only seven consulates in the days before opening-up and reform. But now it has over 220 diplomatic and other foreign oriented institutions, including 65 consulates, which can provide assistance to Chinese citizens abroad. China has now signed consular and visa-free travel agreements with over 140 countries.

The emergency response mechanism has become more widely known to Chinese people following the abduction of Chinese nationals in Iraq. "The emergency response mechanism is activated immediately when Chinese nationals suffer severe violation or loss," said Luo Tianguang.

Observers say that the introduction of the emergency response mechanism reflects the new challenges faced by the Chinese government in coping with unexpected incidents.

Off course, there are limitations on the level of protection that can be provided by our consulates," said Luo, "for they have no administrative or judicial authority in foreign countries. They cannot use force or interfere with the judicial processes of these countries."

An expert with the China Foreign Affairs University says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now increasingly finding itself dealing with personal matters affecting its citizens in addition to the big diplomatic issues of the day. China's diplomatic service is now involved more and more with the rights and interests of Chinese nationals overseas.

Steps to help Chinese workers stay safe overseas

Peng Aiguang, the general representative of the Zhongxing Company in Afghanistan and Pakistan, said that his company paid close attention to safety issues when making arrangements for its employees to work abroad. They took appropriate measures which included hiring local security guards, encouraging safety consciousness among their staff and had even brought in experts to give instruction on dealing with mines.

However, many enterprises do not provide the necessary training when implementing projects abroad. Many of their workers do not know what is involved in a suicide bomb attack or how best to react in the event of unexpected incidents like abduction.

Experts suggest that Chinese companies should increase their allowances for security costs when preparing estimates for tendering in overseas contracting. Working and living areas should be protected by high walls. Electric fences and electronic surveillance should be installed where appropriate. The front elevations of buildings may require bulletproof windows. Any banners or sign boards put up should give no indication of foreign identity. Moreover, companies should insure their workers.

In special areas like Iraq or Afghanistan, Chinese companies should cooperate on security measures with local partners and the security services. They should ask local governments to provide military protection where necessary. And they should improve their communications with the local police.

What's more, Chinese companies and their individual employees should work at promoting a good image. They should take care to communicate with the local people and emphasize the local benefits the projects will bring in terms of economic development and job opportunities.

(China.org.cn by Unisumoon, July 1, 2004)