国内英语新闻:Chinese citizens, companies abroad advised to prevent risks

BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- China's Foreign Ministry on Friday called on overseas Chinese people and companies to take "effective measures" to strengthen their self-protection capabilities and prevent security risks.

"The recent abduction of Chinese workers in Sudan is an accidental incident, but also reflects the increasingly severe security situation faced by overseas Chinese people and enterprises," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Weimin said at a regular press briefing.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to the security of overseas Chinese citizens, Liu added.

He briefed on China's efforts in coping with major overseas emerging incidents and improving consular protection, saying that the country will spare no efforts in safeguarding the security of overseas Chinese citizens.

In the last five years, the Foreign Ministry and other departments handled more than 120,000 cases concerning consular protection, implementing over 10 citizen evacuation procedures.

By fulfilling those missions, the security and legal interests of hundreds of thousands of Chinese people and enterprises were protected, Liu said.