No Chinese casualties in recent rioting and looting in Venezuela

There have been no reports of casualties of Chinese citizens in the recent looting in Venezuela, China's Foreign Ministry revealed on Friday.

The Chinese embassy in Venezuela has asked the Venezuelan government to protect the safety and property of the Chinese citizens, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a daily news conference.

People in the Venezuelan city of Cumana looted supermarkets and shops including some owned by Chinese people on Tuesday, and the police arrived to restore order, said the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela on its website.

The South American country is experiencing a severe economic crisis due to plunging oil prices.

The Chinese embassy in Venezuela issued an alert on Tuesday, warning the Chinese people in Cumana to avoid going outdoors when it's not necessary, and avoid going to regions where there is unrest.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua said: "As a country friendly to Venezuela, China hopes the Venezuelan government and people can deal with the problem properly. We hope the lawful rights and interests of the Chinese citizens will be effectively safeguarded."

"China attaches great importance to the development of the China-Venezuelan ties, and hopes to keep on exchanges and cooperation with Venezuela in various fields based on the principle of mutual benefit and win-win," she said.