Tuesday, January 18 2005 21:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: Eight Chinese labourers, working in a project to rebuild an Iraqi-plant, have been kidnapped by militants in the war-torn country.

Chinese diplomats in Baghdad said the eight construction workers hailing from the southern province of Fujian have been abducted by militants in Iraq, the official Xinhua news agency reported today (Jan 18, 2005).

The diplomats said they were making all efforts to rescue the eight hostages, who went missing last week while travelling to Jordan.

A video tape aired by the pan-Arab al-Jazeera TV channel today showed the eight hostages holding Chinese passports standing in a row, flanked by masked militants who read a statement, demanding the Chinese Government clarify its stance on Iraq.

The kidnapping incident took place ahead of a visit to China by Deputy President Rowsch Nuri Shaways of the Iraqi Interim Government from January 20.

This is the second time Chinese nationals have been kidnapped in the war-torn nation.

In April 2004, seven Chinese farmers were kidnapped by Iraqi militants. However, Beijing secured their safe release soon after.