China stated on Tuesday that it was “shocked” by the fatal attack on a hotel in Kabul frequented by Chinese businesspeople, adding that five of its citizens were injured.
“This terrorist attack is abhorrent, and China is in shock. We oppose vehemently all types of terrorism… “We express our sorrow for the fallen Afghan military police and our condolences for the injured,” foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated.
Witnesses reported multiple explosions and several bursts of gunfire when gunmen stormed the hotel in the Afghan capital on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals.
Islamic State (IS) militants have claimed responsibility.
Wang stated, “As far as we know, five Chinese individuals were injured in the terrorist attack, along with several Afghan military and police.
He added that the Chinese embassy in Afghanistan had “made serious representations to the Afghan interim government, urging the Afghan side to spare no effort in rescuing the injured, investigating the incident thoroughly, bringing the terrorists to justice, and taking additional measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens in Afghanistan.”
The Taliban assert that security has improved since their return to power in August of last year, but there have been dozens of bombings and attacks, many of which have been claimed by the IS affiliate in Afghanistan.
Wang stated that embassy staff had traveled to the attack site on Monday to assist with rescue and treatment efforts.
Wang said that Beijing was grateful that Afghan security personnel “actively assisted and rescued Chinese citizens.”
However, he reminded Chinese people that the foreign ministry advised an immediate evacuation from Afghanistan.
