The kidnapping of five Chinese workers in Nigeria over the weekend sounds an alarm bell that the safety of the ever-increasing number of Chinese working overseas needs to be high on the agenda of our diplomatic missions.

With the country getting increasingly involved in globalization, the total number of Chinese engaged in economic activities overseas has surpassed 600,000, with more than 8,000 firms and relevant institutions spread around 170 countries.

The kidnapping or killing of Chinese engineers and workers by gangsters in Pakistan, Iraq, Russia, South Africa and other countries speaks volumes on the potential danger our compatriots face on foreign soil.

This situation places a higher demand on our diplomatic missions overseas to have better knowledge of security situations in their resident country so that they can help make detailed security plans for Chinese companies and institutions which set up offices or start businesses there.

As a matter of fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has done a great deal in this regard. Many embassies have emergency plans for similar cases.

When military conflicts escalated between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon last July, the Chinese embassy activated its emergency plan to help dozens of Chinese withdraw from the city of Beirut.

Chinese embassy in Kinshasa issued safety guidance to Chinese compatriots when a riot took place there in November 2006.

All this suggests that our diplomatic missions are moving in the right direction to keep our compatriots safe abroad.

In addition, those working in a foreign land need to learn more about local conditions and to pay more attention to their personal safety.

It is a great relief to learn that both Chinese and Nigerian authorities are working hard for the rescue of the five kidnap victims.

We hope that the five will return unharmed. We also hope that this case will further increase the vigilance of our diplomatic missions and those working in a foreign land against such misfortunes.

(China Daily January 8, 2007)