The Chinese government issued a
security warning to its citizens abroad soon after a Korean
national was kidnapped and beheaded in Iraq. China now faces
unprecedented new diplomatic challenges in coping with
international terrorism.
The security of Chinese citizens overseas has become a matter of
concern. Chinese nationals have been victims of abduction in Iraq
and an explosion in Jerusalem and they have died in Pakistan and in
Afghanistan.
As news reports bring word of these changing times, new expressions
like abduction, detainment, terrorist attack, and labor
exploitation are being heard only too often across China.
The Chinese government is now facing the new problem of how to cope
with international terrorism. China has recently set up a
foreign-oriented Safety Department under the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to handle any incidents affecting Chinese nationals
overseas.
"Chinese people seldom went abroad before opening-up and reform was
brought in," said Luo Tianguang, director-general of the Consular
Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Only 200,000 went
abroad in 1978, which contrasts with 20 million in 2003, up 100
times."
"Incidents are sure to happen as more and more Chinese go abroad,"
Luo said. "It will be hard to tell when, where and what might
happen in every corner of the world."
Chinese citizens overseas not free from terrorist
attacks
"The problems that Chinese people meet when abroad are now
increasing, even compared with other countries." said Luo
Tianguang. "Hundreds of cases have to be dealt with every year by
the Consular Bureau in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. The bureau is also dealing with an increasing number of
cases directly in accordance with the regulations."
Chinese nationals can meet a range of different dangers when
abroad. Labor exploitation issues and abductions are more common in
the Middle East and Africa. Individual's rights and interests may
be infringed in the developed countries. There can be fishery
disputes in the maritime nations, with some even involving
territorial issues. Then there are the international criminal
organizations which have significantly stepped up their activities
in illegal migration, trafficking in people, black market labor
exploitation and drugs since China introduced extensive new
opportunities for self-funded overseas travel. And Chinese
nationals can also find themselves caught up in events in countries
where the political situation is volatile.
"The old concept that Chinese nationals will not be victims of
terrorist attacks has to be changed," said Li Wei, director of the
Anti-terrorism Research Center of the China Institute of
Contemporary International Relations.
"China is now playing an increasingly important role in
international cooperation and reconstruction in a number of
countries. This is one reason why Chinese-targeted terrorist
attacks are on the increase," Li said.
Japan's Daily Yomiuri attributes the more frequent attacks
on Chinese nationals to China's increased power in the world
coupled with the proliferation of terrorist organizations.
Emergency response mechanism protects Chinese citizens
overseas
Chinese people abroad know they can seek help from their
consulates. With incidents on the increase, the Foreign Ministry
issued a revised version of its publication, A Guide Book to
Protection and Service from Overseas Consulates last
May.
Chinese citizens can not only get a free copy of the guide book in
any of its diplomatic and other foreign oriented institutions, but
can also get an electronic version on the?website of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition the website releases ad
hoc warnings as necessary to advise Chinese to avoid any currently
volatile areas.
China had only seven consulates in the days before opening-up and
reform. But now it has over 220 diplomatic and other foreign
oriented institutions, including 65 consulates, which can provide
assistance to Chinese citizens abroad. China has now signed
consular and visa-free travel agreements with over 140
countries.
The emergency response mechanism has become more widely known to
Chinese people following the abduction of Chinese nationals in
Iraq. "The emergency response mechanism is activated immediately
when Chinese nationals suffer severe violation or loss," said Luo
Tianguang.
Observers say that the introduction of the emergency response
mechanism reflects the new challenges faced by the Chinese
government in coping with unexpected incidents.
Off course, there are limitations on the level of protection that
can be provided by our consulates," said Luo, "for they have no
administrative or judicial authority in foreign countries. They
cannot use force or interfere with the judicial processes of these
countries."
An expert with the China Foreign Affairs University says the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now increasingly finding itself
dealing with personal matters affecting its citizens in addition to
the big diplomatic issues of the day. China's diplomatic service is
now involved more and more with the rights and interests of Chinese
nationals overseas.
Steps to help Chinese workers stay safe
overseas
Peng Aiguang, the general representative of the Zhongxing Company
in Afghanistan and Pakistan, said that his company paid close
attention to safety issues when making arrangements for its
employees to work abroad. They took appropriate measures which
included hiring local security guards, encouraging safety
consciousness among their staff and had even brought in experts to
give instruction on dealing with mines.
However, many enterprises do not provide the necessary training
when implementing projects abroad. Many of their workers do not
know what is involved in a suicide bomb attack or how best to react
in the event of unexpected incidents like abduction.
Experts suggest that Chinese companies should increase their
allowances for security costs when preparing estimates for
tendering in overseas contracting. Working and living areas should
be protected by high walls. Electric fences and electronic
surveillance should be installed where appropriate. The front
elevations of buildings may require bulletproof windows. Any
banners or sign boards put up should give no indication of foreign
identity. Moreover, companies should insure their workers.
In special areas like Iraq or Afghanistan, Chinese companies should
cooperate on security measures with local partners and the security
services. They should ask local governments to provide military
protection where necessary. And they should improve their
communications with the local police.
What's more, Chinese companies and their individual employees
should work at promoting a good image. They should take care to
communicate with the local people and emphasize the local benefits
the projects will bring in terms of economic development and job
opportunities.
(China.org.cn by Unisumoon, July 1, 2004)