Beijing: China on Thursday said it would move some of its citizens in Iraq -- a key energy provider to the Asian giant -- away from danger zones amid an intensifying insurgency.
"We have about 10,000 Chinese workers in Iraq. Most are in relatively safe areas," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, answering questions on how China plans to deal with its work force, stated to be the biggest mostly working in oil companies.
"For those employees close to areas where the situation is relatively grave due to proximity to the conflict zones, they will evacuate to safe zones," Hua said.
Reports said that two Major Chinese oil firms have prepared evacuation plans in case the situation deteriorated and threatened their operations.
In 2011, China mounted a massive land, sea and air operation to evacuate about 35,800 of its workers from Libya during the rebellion against Muammar Gaddafi regime.
Recently China evacuated over 7,000 Chinese workers from Vietnam following anti-China riots there over China's move to place an oil rig in the disputed waters of South China Sea.
Expressing concern over the situation, she said China the terrorist forces are spreading extremism and called on international community to put up a joint efforts as terrorism has become major threat to the entire world.
She said China will continue its assistance to Iraq but at the same ambivalent about sending military advisors.
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