The tunnel collapsed early Saturday as heavy snowstorms hit the region and Long was presumed dead. When militants opened the door to his room and found him alive, they were caught with surprise.

At 7 a.m. Saturday, Long was instructed to change into new clothes, for the first time in nearly half a year after being kidnapped. Then he was forced onto a car and after more than ten hours of ride in the mountains, he was transferred to Pakistani police at nightfall.

The Chinese ambassador Luo Zhaohui was notified of his release at 9 p.m. Saturday and immediately made relevant arrangements.

About four and a half hours later, Long returned to the Chinese embassy in Islamabad under the escort of Pakistani military and police.

Long Xiaowei gives a call to relatives in China at the Chinese embassy in Islamabad Sunday, February 15, 2009. [Xinhua]

The embassy chef was woken up and made noodles for Long, who said it was the first time he ate noodles and had taken a bite of meat over the past 160 days since he was kidnapped.

Long felt much relief after embassy staff told Long that Zhang Guo had already gone back home and was safe and sound. "I would never forgive myself if bad things had happened to Zhang, because it was my idea to run away at that time."

Long appeared in good condition and is expected to go back to China soon after a medical checkup.

(China Daily February 17, 2009)