The names of the seven Chinese nationals kidnapped in Iraq have been confirmed preliminarily by relevant departments, according to sources with the Chinese Foreign Ministry Monday.  

The hostages, all males from east China's Fujian Province, are Xue Yougui, Lin Jinping, Li Guiwu, Li Guiping, Wei Weilong, Chen Xiaojin, and Lin Kongming.

The seven Chinese nationals were kidnapped by armed men in Fallujah, west of Baghdad on Sunday after they entered Iraq via Jordan, Chinese diplomats in Baghdad said.

In view of the current situation in Iraq, the foreign ministry hopes the Chinese citizens in Iraq will take measures to protect themselves and contact the team responsible for the re-establishment of the Chinese Embassy in Baghdad. The phone number is 001-914-8227530 or 8227529.

The Foreign Ministry's department of consular affairs also publicized its phone number: 010-65963513, 010-65963755, 010-65963515 (fax).

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2004)