Russia has been urged to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in its country after three Chinese women were murdered, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Friday.

The women went missing and were later found dead in Russia's southern Siberian republic of Khakassia, local media reported Thursday.

The Russian Interior Ministry said the women were taken away in a car by three unidentified men Tuesday night. A criminal investigation has been launched.

"It is a serious criminal case," Hong told a press briefing.

China has urged the Russian side to arrest the murderers as quickly as possible and hand out severe punishment to them, he said.

The Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Consulate in Irkutsk attach great importance to the case, and have immediately launched an emergency mechanism, he said.

Chinese diplomats have gone to the Khakassia Republic, he said, adding that the ministry and the consulate general in Irkutsk will do their best to help the families of the victims to deal with the aftermath.

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