China urges Pakistan to catch killers of engineers
(AFP/Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-02-16 19:53

The attack happened in Hub, a remote town about 680 kilometres (420 miles) southeast of the provincial capital, Quetta, according to Pakistani police.

The dead were identified as Long Hongbao, Wei Jianpin and Zhao Bin, Xinhua said, citing China's commerce ministry.

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf was due to arrive in China Sunday on a five-day official visit to strengthen economic, political and defence links between the regional allies.

Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz strongly condemned the killing and branded it "an act of blatant terrorism", the Associated Press of Pakistan quoted them as saying.

Pakistan had earlier denounced the killings as meant to "create a wedge" between the two countries.

Qin indicated that anti-terrorism may be on the agenda of Musharraf's upcoming visit.

"The two countries have adopted cooperation on anti-extremism as an important part in their talks during the high-level exchanges," Qin said.

"We have good cooperation on joint law enforcement and the two countries enjoy effective cooperation and exchanges in this regard."