China says terror attack in Pakistan'very vile'

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China says terror attack in Pakistan'very vile'

A police officer stands next to a blast site after a suicide attack on a van at the Karachi University in Karachi on April 27, 2022. RIZWAN TABASSUM AFP BEIJING - A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman has described Tuesday's terrorist attack in Karachi, Pakistan as very vile, saying that China will work with Pakistan to bring down the perpetrators, bring them to justice and make them pay a heavy price.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made remarks at a regular news conference on Wednesday after the attack on a van of the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi.

We extend deep condolences again to the victims of the two countries and sincere sympathies to the injured and the bereaved families, Wang said.

He described the incident as a premeditated suicide terrorist attack against Chinese citizens. The attack was a very vile and heinous act, said Wang, who said that the Chinese side expresses strong condemnation and indignation at it.

The Chinese government always attaches great importance to the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions overseas, pointing out that the Chinese Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions in Pakistan immediately activated the emergency response mechanism and sent staff to the scene.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions in Pakistan have urged the Pakistani side to do its best to treat injured people, properly handle the follow-up matters of those killed, conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the attack, arrest the perpetrators and punish them according to law, he said.

He said stronger measures needed to be taken to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in Pakistan so that such incidents don't happen again.

Chinese diplomatic missions in Pakistan reminded Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan to increase security awareness and enhance their security level in order to ensure their own safety.

The Chinese Consul General in Karachi went to the hospital yesterday to visit the injured Chinese teacher who is receiving proper treatment and recovering, the spokesman said.

Wang said that Pakistani Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on Tuesday evening to express his condolences, stressing that the Pakistani government is using all its resources to conduct an in-depth investigation into the incident, and will spare no effort to track down the perpetrators and make an example of the perpetrators in punishing them.

Wang said that the Pakistani side pledged to take further measures to strengthen the security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan in an all-round way.

Sharif said his government will never allow any force to undermine the friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and China.

Wang said that China firmly supports Pakistan's anti-terrorism efforts and will work with Pakistan to hunt down the perpetrators, bring them to justice and make them pay a heavy price.

He added that we reminded Chinese citizens in Pakistan to pay close attention to the local security situation and prevent security risks.