China seeks more security for its envoy in Pakistan

The threat to ambassador Yao Jing allegedly comes from the banned East Turkestan Independence Movement– an extremist group which largely operates in China’s Xinjiang region.

China has requested Pakistan to increase security of its newly appointed ambassador in Islamabad following intelligence information that terrorists are planning to attack him, local media reported.

Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing (via Twitter)

The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad has written a letter to the interior ministry, saying that a terrorist tasked to attack ambassador Yao Jing has entered Pakistan. The embassy requested that the Pakistan government take immediate action on the intelligence information, and enhance Yao’s security.

The letter, written by the focal person for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Ping Ying Fi, has identified the terrorist as Abdul Wali, who belongs to the banned East Turkestan Independence Movement– an extremist group which largely operates in China’s northwestern region of Xinjiang.

In the letter, Ping also shared details of Wali’s passport and demanded his immediate arrest and handover to the Chinese embassy. This, the letter says, will not only help foil his “nefarious designs” but will also help in getting to other terrorists involved in the plot.

Earlier this week, Yao Jing replaced Sun Weidong, who had served as China’s ambassador to Pakistan for three years.

The security of Chinese officials in Pakistan is a major issue and army has been tasked to provide security to the Chinese working on various projects, including the CPEC.