Kyrgyz authorities have launched a criminal investigation into an attack targeting the Chinese Embassy in Bishkek.

Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev has ordered the country's national security agency and the Kyrgyz interior department to conduct the probe.

It comes after a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb outside the Chinese embassy in Bishkek, injuring six people, including three Chinese staffers at the embassy, as well as three Kyrgyz employees.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying says they're calling for additional help from the Kyrgyz side to ensure the safety of the Chinese embassy.

"China is deeply shocked and strongly condemns this extremist violent act. China's Foreign Ministry immediately activated its emergency response plan, and has requested that the Kyrgyz side immediately implement whatever measures it can to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and citizens in Kyrgyzstan and quickly investigate into the truth behind this incident and severely punish those responsible."

The Kyrgyz government has increased security around all embassy locations in Bishkek, as well as in other areas of the city which could be considered targets.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

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