BEIJING - China has set up a joint mechanism involving its diplomatic and consular missions and companies operating overseas to provide consular protection, said a statement issued here Friday by the Department of Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry.

The mechanism, established by the Foreign Ministry and relevant parties, is aimed at handling the increasing security risks faced by overseas citizens and companies, said the statement.

In the recent case of the Chinese workers kidnapped in Sudan, such a joint mechanism was applied, the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry rapidly launched an emergency mechanism following the event under the guidance of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee and the State Council, as Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun made arrangements, and Vice Foreign Minister Xie Hangsheng conferred with representations on the Sudanese side.

With the support of the center of consular protection of the Foreign Ministry, the ministry worked with relevant departments and companies to guide the negotiations.

In the meantime, the working group sent by Chinese government traveled to Sudan, South Sudan and Kenya to bring and escort the kidnapped workers to a safe area.

The diplomatic missions based in relevant countries and the United Nations and Geneva maintained close contact with related countries, organizations and people, so as to create conditions for the release of the workers, said the statement.

The Foreign Ministry Department of Consular Affairs also called on overseas citizens and companies to strengthen their capabilities of self-protection and to avoid various kinds of security risks.

In the last five years, the Foreign Ministry and other departments handled more than 120,000 cases concerning consular protection and implemented over ten expatriate evacuations.

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