Photo taken on Aug. 21, 2020, shows normal traffic after Mali reopened land and air borders in Bamako, capital of Mali. Photo:Xinhua

The three Chinese nationals who were kidnapped in Mali have been rescued on Monday and are in good health conditions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin confirmed at Tuesday's media briefing, noting that China will strengthen risk warning and consular protection for Chinese nationals and entities in the country to safeguard their safety and legitimate rights. 

On July 17, three Chinese nationals from a local construction company were kidnapped by unknown gunmen some 55 kilometers from the town of Kwala, Mali, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Security forces in Mali have freed the abducted Chinese nationals, the presidency said on Monday, the report said.

Since the occurrence of the case, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Mali have closely followed the case and urged Mali to carry out a safe rescue, Wang said. 

Under joint efforts from both sides, the three kidnapped Chinese nationals were safely rescued on Monday, Wang noted, extending thanks to the support of local government bodies. 

China will take good care of the rescued personnel. Meanwhile it will continue strengthening risk warning and consular protection in the country, Wang added, to further safeguard Chinese nationals and entities' legitimate rights and interests. 

After the seizure in July, the Chinese Embassy in Mali had warned Chinese citizens and enterprises to raise safety awareness in the country, noting that as Eid al-Adha Day approached the security situation in Mali had become more complicated, with robberies and attacks more frequent in border areas especially those with Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

The kidnap came three days after the bus blast in Pakistan that killed nine Chinese nationals on July 14, which put spotlight on the security situation of Chinese nationals and enterprises in foreign countries.

Chinese companies in sectors ranging from mining and railway construction to agriculture and services have been diversifying their investments in Africa. 

In 2015, three Chinese nationals from China Railway Construction Corp, which had taken part in the country's infrastructure construction projects, were killed in a terror attack in Mali.

Global Times