Hong Kong: Armed men have kidnapped seven Chinese citizens in Central Iraq, according to State media, which quoted a Chinese diplomat as saying.

The Chinese group entered Iraq early yesterday (Apr 11, 2004) and were probably abducted in the flashpoint city of Fallujah, West of Baghdad, Xinhua news agency quoted the diplomat as saying.

China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, resolutely opposed the invasion of Iraq and has refused to send troops to aid the US-led coalition.