Chinese citizens moved to safety

More than 200 Chinese citizens have been safely evacuated from Lebanon in two batches as the conflict between Lebanon and Israel escalates.

The first batch comprised 69 Chinese citizens and 11 foreign family members who arrived in Cyprus on Tuesday by boat, while the second batch consisted of 146 Chinese citizens and 5 foreign family members, who arrived in Beijing on a chartered flight early on Wednesday.

Zhang Yang, deputy director-general of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that a total of 215 Chinese citizens were evacuated safely, including three residents from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and one from the Taiwan region. Their safe exit was organized by the Chinese government, he said.

Chen Wenfang, who has been in Lebanon for 10 years, was among those evacuated by boat along with her daughter.

"Everyone is very grateful to the Chinese government for organizing the evacuation," Chen told Xinhua News Agency. "Being able to evacuate safely is reassuring," she added.

Zhao Ying, who has lived in Lebanon for 20 years, said the entire process of evacuation was safe and orderly.