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China condemns Bangkok blast, calls for full investigation

Xinhua, August 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

China on Tuesday expressed strong condemnation of the explosion that hit downtown Bangkok Monday night and killed at least 20 people, including four Chinese nationals.

"We convey our deep condolences to the victims and families of this tragedy, and sympathies to the wounded," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying in a statement.

The blast happened at about 7 p.m. local time near Erawan Shrine at the Ratchaprasong intersection, a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists.

Hua said four Chinese tourists were killed, including two Hong Kong residents, and more than 20 Chinese tourists were injured in the bombing.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese embassy in Thailand began an emergency response after the explosion happened, Hua said.

The Chinese embassy has maintained contact with the Thai government, and urged Thai authorities to investigate the incident, find out the cause, and make all efforts to treat the injured and handle the aftermath, she said.

China also urged the Thai government to take effective measures to ensure safety of Chinese nationals and organizations in Thailand, she said.

According to Hua, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called an inter-ministerial coordination meeting on Tuesday morning to collect the information of Chinese nationals in Thailand and analyze the security situation.

Hua said all government departments involved have planned their response to the incident, including making arrangements for victims and their families, treating the injured, and carrying out official communication with the Thai government.

An official in charge of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry summoned principal officials from the Thai embassy in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon, urging Thailand's full investigation into the incident, severe punishment of the perpetrators and effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and agencies, she said.

China will continue to maintain close communication with Thailand and do its utmost to deal with the aftermath in order to safeguard the security and interests of Chinese citizens and agencies in the country, Hua said. Endi