BEIJING - China's Vice Foreign Minister Xie Hangsheng on Tuesday summoned Sudan's Charge d'Affaires in Beijing and lodged urgent representations to the African country over local rebels' attack on a camp belonging to a Chinese company.

Twenty-nine Chinese nationals were abducted after the attack, according to a press release from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The Chinese government attaches great importance to protecting overseas Chinese nationals," Xie told Sudan's Charge d'Affaires Omer Eisa Ahmed, as quoted in the release.

Xie said that the Chinese side was "deeply shocked" by the abductions and "much concerned" with the safety of the 29 people.

China has sent a working group to Sudan to aid in the rescue of the Chinese nationals.

"The Chinese side urges the Sudanese side to keep in mind the overall situation of bilateral friendship and cooperation, continue making greater efforts through multiple channels, do as much as possible to ensure the safety of the Chinese nationals and create favorable conditions for their swift release," the vice foreign minister said, adding that Sudan should also take effective measures to ensure the safety of other Chinese nationals and enterprises in Sudan.

Eisa said the Sudanese side deeply regrets the incident and the Sudanese government gives great attention to China's concerns and requests, according to the release.

Sudan will work hard to properly address the incident and make full efforts to safely rescue the abducted Chinese nationals and enhance protection for Chinese nationals and enterprises in the African country.