Wang Ende, one of the two Chinese engineers held hostage in Pakistan's western tribal belt, returned to Beijing Friday night.

In a military operation launched by Pakistan forces Thursday to free the Chinese hostages, Wang Ende was injured, and Wang Peng, the other hostage, was killed. Wang Peng's wife Meng Dequn also arrived together with Wang Ende.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei met Wang and Meng at the airport, extending the sincere condolence of Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

The Chinese government and leaders attached great importance to the Chinese hostage issue, and urged the Pakistani side to properly solve it, Wu said, adding that the Chinese Foreign Ministry also made great efforts to keep close contacts with the Pakistani side.

The Chinese side were in great grief for the death of Wang Peng, and expressed sympathy for his wife, Wu noted.

Wu expressed his welcome for Wang Ende's return to motherland, saying that Chinese engineers and technological personnel working in Pakistan made important contribution to promote the friendly cooperation between Chinese and Pakistani peoples.

Wang and Meng expressed their appreciation for the concern of Chinese leaders.

Gunmen kidnapped Wang Ende and Wang Peng Saturday near Jandala in Pakistan's restive South Waziristan Tribal Agency bordering Afghanistan.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2004)