Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has directed the Chinese embassy and consulates in Ecuador to activate the emergency mechanism for consular protection, and there have been no Chinese casualties reported in Ecuador so far, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday in response to the condition of Chinese nationals in Ecuador. 

Ecuador on Monday local time declared a state of emergency after the country's most-wanted prisoner disappeared from the jail where he was being held. 

China’s embassy and all its consulates in Ecuador will halt services to the public from Wednesday, according to a statement from the embassy, as Ecuador exploded in what Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa called an “serious internal commotion” and decreed on Monday a state of emergency, imposing a curfew for 60 days throughout the country, including in prisons. 

In terms of the impact on the Chinese nationals in Ecuador, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a press briefing on Wednesday that the ministry has been staying vigilant and closely monitoring the changing security situation in Ecuador. 

According to Mao, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has directed the Chinese embassy and consulates in Ecuador to activate the emergency mechanism for consular protection to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and organizations in Ecuador. 

The ministry is currently verifying the safety status of Chinese nationals and institutions in Ecuador and making safety precaution alerts through various channels, Mao said. 

So far, there have been no Chinese casualties reported in Ecuador. The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the embassy and consulates in Ecuador will continue to closely monitor the local security situation, providing timely consular protection and assistance to Chinese nationals, Mao added. 

With regards to the current situation in Ecuador with the increasing violent crisis, Mao said China supports the efforts made by the government of Ecuador to maintain social stability and hopes that Ecuador can soon restore normal order. China also hopes that Ecuador will effectively ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in the country. 

Global Times