China expresses concern over the killing of two Chinese nationals

China is “gravely concerned” at Daesh’s claim of killing two Chinese teachers in the province of Balochistan.

"IS fighters killed two Chinese people they had been holding in Balochistan province, southwest Pakistan," the militant group’s Amaq news agency said on Thursday, according to Reuters.

The two language teachers who worked for a private school in Quetta had been kidnapped on May 24.

The incident is a rare case of security involving Chinese nationals in Pakistan. China has major interests in Pakistan, where the country is investing billions of dollars in infrastructure projects, under its initiative of building a modern day ‘Silk Road’ to connect Asia and Africa with Europe.

In a statement issued Friday, China’s foreign ministry said, "We have been trying to rescue the two kidnapped hostages over the past days. The Chinese side is working to learn about and verify relevant information through various channels, including working with Pakistani authorities".

"The Chinese side is firmly opposed to the acts of kidnapping civilians in any form, as well as terrorism and extreme violence in any form," it added.

The Balochistan government has yet to confirm Amaq’s claim. There has been no comment from interior ministry or foreign office as well.