From Overseas Press

China works harder to protect its citizens overseas

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-08-30 14:48

China is showing its determination and efforts to protect its citizens overseas while dealing with the case of the killings of Hong Kong tourists in Manila, said an article in the Wall Street Journal on Aug 25.

The article said that "China's state media continued to give big play to the issue, in particular trumpeting the official response from Beijing." Its government required "the Philippine side to completely investigate the incident, report related details as soon as possible, try its best to rescue the injured and properly handle the aftermath." It also "requires the Philippines to take tangible measures to ensure the safety of life and property of Chinese citizens in the country."

China's official response reflected "the no-doubt sincere sympathies of the leadership," and showed "the growing public pressure Beijing is under to demonstrate its willingness and ability to protect its citizens overseas."

Because of the country's development, more and more Chinese are traveling abroad for tourism or business and "becoming exposed to the dangers as well, whether they're tourists sightseeing in Manila or workers on oil projects in Africa."

Andrew Erickson, an associate professor in the Strategic Research Department at the US Naval War College, said that "Beijing's efforts to protect Chinese overseas are likely to increase." He believed that "Several factors increase the likelihood that the Chinese government may be more able and willing to respond with force to future hostage situations or other targeted violence against Chinese citizens."

They include the growing strength of the Chinese navy and the "Chinese leadership's increasingly assertive worldview as the country emerges strongly from the deep global economic recession."