(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-03-08 09:25

Xi'an Mayor Chen Baogen said on Friday the city will continue to ensure foreign tourists' safety after the recent hijacking involving 10 Australians.

"Ensuring the safety of each tourist is a basic requirement for us," he said in response to a question concerning the case in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province.

A Chinese man armed with explosives hijacked a tourist bus in a downtown square in Xi'an on Wednesday. Nine of the Australians were quickly released, but a 48-year-old woman and a translator were held captive for several hours by the hijacker, who was eventually shot dead by police.

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No one else was hurt and all the Australians have since returned home. The hijacker's motive remains unclear.

Chen said it was an isolated case, and "Xi'an is safe for tourists from home and abroad".

A great number of tourists are expected to visit Xi'an this summer to see its major attraction, the Terracotta Warriors, and the city will make more efforts to ensure their safety, he said on the sidelines of the ongoing annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing.

"We'll definitely take more measures and improve our emergency plans to ensure the safety of every tourist," he said.

Figures from the city's tourism bureau show that around 31 million travelers came to Xi'an last year, including 1 million from overseas.

"We expect the total figure to grow by at least 10 percent this year," Chen said.

On Thursday in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang reiterated that China is a safe place for foreigners.

"China has always attached great importance to the legal rights and interests of foreigners here," Qin said in response to a question about the hijacking case.

"We will continue to provide a sound and safe environment for them to work, study, live and travel in the country," he said.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith said on Wednesday he was pleased the hostage crisis was resolved so quickly and the tourists were safe, the Australian Associated Press reported.

Australian Olympic Committee spokesman Mike Tancred has also expressed his confidence in the security in place for athletes attending the upcoming Beijing Games.