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Manila hostage tragedy a reminder to protect Chinese nationals abroad
By Yu Zhongwen, Ye Shuhong and Wu Liming |
August 31, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE hostage crisis in the Philippines capital of Manila that killed eight tourists from China's Hong Kong region reminds us again of the importance of Chinese nationals' safety abroad.
It has become an urgent task for the Chinese government, business organizations and the public to work for an effective and comprehensive mechanism to safeguard the safety of Chinese citizens who travel abroad.
In recent years, the frequency of incidents abroad in which Chinese nationals' lives and property have been put at risk has risen in line with the increased numbers of travelers.
According to statistics, the number of Chinese citizens traveling abroad jumped to more than 50 million in 2009 from around 280,000 in 1978.
Meanwhile, the cause of the safety issues related to Chinese nationals abroad has also become more complicated.
Besides predictable factors such as wars, natural disasters and social unrest, random public security issues, such as the Manila hostage crisis, are also threatening the safety of the public, including numerous Chinese citizens abroad.
It's inevitable that more safety risks are emerging as more people go abroad. It's also hard to always be satisfied with the efficiency and results of dealing with safety issues due to differences in capability between various governments.
It's necessary for the government and the public to take active measures to improve the mechanism of protecting overseas citizens.
First, the government is playing an important role. The Chinese government launched its crisis management practice shortly after hearing news of the hostage-taking in Manila, asking the Philippino government to carry out rescue operations without sparing any effort.
At the same time, the Chinese Foreign Ministry dispatched a working team to the Philippines for the aftermath and the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region sent a chartered plane and issued a travel warning. All the moves indicate the state's role in protecting its citizens.
The Chinese government has taken a series of measures in recent years to provide protection for its overseas citizens.
A consular assistance and protection center and a joint meeting on protecting overseas Chinese citizens and institutions have been established to issue early warnings and deal with crisis management. A crisis management mechanism for the Foreign Ministry and embassies and consulates is also in operation.
Second, it's also very important for the public to be aware of what they can do to enhance their own safety.
The citizen traveling abroad should be acquainted with consular assistance information and the situation of the destination. Travel and foreign study agencies should also provide emergency training programs for customers and prepare crisis management plans.
It's also required for Chinese companies, more and more of which are doing business in foreign markets, to strengthen self-protection measures in light of a number of kidnapping cases against their staff members that have occurred in recent years.
Chinese companies, particularly those operating in restive regions abroad, should adopt more comprehensive and effective safety measures, set up an early warning system and maintain communication with local governments and law.
(The authors are Xinhua writers.)
It has become an urgent task for the Chinese government, business organizations and the public to work for an effective and comprehensive mechanism to safeguard the safety of Chinese citizens who travel abroad.
In recent years, the frequency of incidents abroad in which Chinese nationals' lives and property have been put at risk has risen in line with the increased numbers of travelers.
According to statistics, the number of Chinese citizens traveling abroad jumped to more than 50 million in 2009 from around 280,000 in 1978.
Meanwhile, the cause of the safety issues related to Chinese nationals abroad has also become more complicated.
Besides predictable factors such as wars, natural disasters and social unrest, random public security issues, such as the Manila hostage crisis, are also threatening the safety of the public, including numerous Chinese citizens abroad.
It's inevitable that more safety risks are emerging as more people go abroad. It's also hard to always be satisfied with the efficiency and results of dealing with safety issues due to differences in capability between various governments.
It's necessary for the government and the public to take active measures to improve the mechanism of protecting overseas citizens.
First, the government is playing an important role. The Chinese government launched its crisis management practice shortly after hearing news of the hostage-taking in Manila, asking the Philippino government to carry out rescue operations without sparing any effort.
At the same time, the Chinese Foreign Ministry dispatched a working team to the Philippines for the aftermath and the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region sent a chartered plane and issued a travel warning. All the moves indicate the state's role in protecting its citizens.
The Chinese government has taken a series of measures in recent years to provide protection for its overseas citizens.
A consular assistance and protection center and a joint meeting on protecting overseas Chinese citizens and institutions have been established to issue early warnings and deal with crisis management. A crisis management mechanism for the Foreign Ministry and embassies and consulates is also in operation.
Second, it's also very important for the public to be aware of what they can do to enhance their own safety.
The citizen traveling abroad should be acquainted with consular assistance information and the situation of the destination. Travel and foreign study agencies should also provide emergency training programs for customers and prepare crisis management plans.
It's also required for Chinese companies, more and more of which are doing business in foreign markets, to strengthen self-protection measures in light of a number of kidnapping cases against their staff members that have occurred in recent years.
Chinese companies, particularly those operating in restive regions abroad, should adopt more comprehensive and effective safety measures, set up an early warning system and maintain communication with local governments and law.
(The authors are Xinhua writers.)
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