China’s embassy in Afghanistan has urged its citizens to avoid travelling to the country, citing a “complex and severe” security situation following a deadly explosion in Kabul on Monday afternoon, Chinese state media reported on Tuesday.
According to Beijing News, the embassy advised Chinese nationals and companies already in Afghanistan to comply with local laws, respect religious and cultural customs, closely monitor security developments and heighten vigilance.
It also urged Chinese citizens to strengthen security measures at their residences and during travel, and to avoid crowded places such as restaurants, markets, religious sites and large shopping centres.
Chinese nationals were instructed to immediately contact the Taliban police or the Chinese embassy in the event of unusual situations or emergencies, the reports said.
The advisory followed an explosion on Monday afternoon in Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw area that killed at least seven people, including one Chinese national, and wounded several others.
Taliban police said the blast occurred at Chinese Noodle restaurant and that investigations into the nature of the explosion were underway.
China’s foreign ministry said earlier that five Chinese nationals were injured in the attack and that Beijing had made emergency representations to the Taliban authorities, urging them to take urgent measures to protect Chinese citizens and interests.
ISIS-K later claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, saying it had targeted Chinese nationals in Kabul.
China has expanded its economic engagement with Afghanistan in recent years, including investments in mining and infrastructure, and has repeatedly called on the Taliban to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals working in the country.
