The Ministry of Commerce Monday warned all Chinese companies with branches in Iraq to take proper protective measures to ensure the safety of their employees there.  

The Ministry held an emergency conference Monday afternoon, and briefed all domestic companies with branch offices in Iraq on the situation regarding seven kidnapped Chinese nationals in Iraq and the current situation there.

The Ministry urged Chinese companies to focus on the safety of their employees in Iraq, and required all Chinese nationals working there to keep contact with Chinese Foreign Ministry staff in Baghdad.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Commerce, eight Chinese companies have branch offices in Iraq, with a total of 23Chinese employees.

The Ministry of Commerce will keep contact with the Foreign Ministry, closely following the situation to ensure the security and property of Chinese business people in Iraq.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2004)