China Urges Islamic Emirate to Further Ensure Security of Chinese Citizens
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to take further action to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, projects, and organizations operating in Afghanistan.
Guō Jiākūn, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated: “China strongly condemns all forms of terrorism and opposes them. We support Afghanistan and countries in the region in jointly combating all types of terrorism and violence. In light of the security situation in Afghanistan, the Ministry has once again advised Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Afghanistan in the near future. Those currently in the country, both individuals and companies, have been urged to remain cautious, strengthen their security, and leave high-risk areas as soon as possible.”
Yahya and Zainab, a Muslim couple from China, used to spend their working days at a Chinese restaurant in Kabul. But on Monday, that very restaurant turned into the scene of a deadly incident.
Yahya, the restaurant’s chef, told : “I was working as the chef. After I prayed, I was talking with my wife about what we should eat for lunch. Suddenly, there was an explosion. I fell to the ground. I saw blood coming from my head and body, and I don’t remember much after that.”
Zainab, Yahya’s wife, who suffered injuries to her hand, spoke softly, saying they had come to Afghanistan simply to work and live.
“We are Chinese Muslims. We came to Afghanistan to work,” she said.
Another Chinese Muslim citizen, Shoaib, had gone to the restaurant on Monday with friends to eat. He now demands that the Islamic Emirate properly investigate the incident.
“I came from China to visit this Islamic country and look for work opportunities,” Shoaib said. “Yesterday we were having lunch and discussing job opportunities with my friends when the explosion happened. I was injured and taken to the hospital. Thankfully, I’m doing better now. I thank God we’re alive. My only request to the Afghan government is to thoroughly investigate this incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
A funeral prayer was held in Kabul for Ayub, the Chinese Muslim citizen who was killed in the attack.
The attack occurred Monday inside a Chinese restaurant in the Shahr-e-Naw area of Kabul. Shortly after the blast, the Emergency NGO announced that 20 people, including a child and four women, were taken to its war victims’ surgical center. Seven of the victims had died before reaching the hospital.
