Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan confirmed Sunday that the eight kidnapped Chinese citizens have returned to the Chinese Embassy in Iraq at Beijing time 10:25 PM Sunday.  

They are now in good physical conditions and the embassy will arrange their return to China as soon as possible, Kong added.

Kong said China is gratified with the safe return of kidnapped Chinese citizens. He expressed his appreciation of the friends who offered help in China's rescue mission.

Kong also noted that President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao were very concerned with the safety of the eight kidnapped Chinese, and the Foreign Ministry and other concerned departments, together with Chinese embassies in Iraq and other neighboring countries, have tried their best to rescue the kidnapped.

Kong said that China hopes the situation in Iraq to resume stable soon and China supports Iraqi reconstruction process.

China will continue to make efforts with the international community for the appropriate solution to the Iraqi issue, Kong stressed.

Kong reminded all Chinese citizens again not to go to Iraq these days due to the current security situation there.

A videotape aired by Al-Arabiya showed Saturday that the eight Chinese hostages were released by Iraqi insurgents as a goodwill gesture for the friendship between the two countries.

The eight Chinese were abducted en route to Jordan by gunmen identifying themselves as the Islamic Resistance Movement, according to a videotape released by the group on Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2005)