Diplomats at great risk despite China not being direct terrorist target
The Chinese government Monday strongly condemned the deadly suicide attack on a luxury hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, which killed at least 15, including a Chinese embassy security officer.
Lu Kang, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, confirmed Monday that the security officer had died from severe injuries and three other staff sustained minor injuries.
"China is deeply shocked by the terrorist attack and strongly condemns it," he said.
The Chinese government attaches great importance to the attack and took emergency response measures, and all Chinese Embassy staff were transferred to a safe location, Lu said.
The Jazeera Palace Hotel, scene of the suicide bombing, is popular with diplomats in Mogadishu, and also houses embassies, including those of China, Egypt and Qatar.
At around 4 p.m. local time Sunday, the bomber drove a vehicle packed with explosives into the hotel's blast wall, severely damaging the building and nearby structures. At least 20 people were also injured, Reuters reported.
One Kenyan diplomat died, AP reported, along with several Somalis. Three of the dead were reported to be hotel workers.
The Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab group, which has frequently launched attacks against the Somali government, claimed responsibility. It told Reuters that it is a response to the attacks and helicopter bombing of the group by African Union force in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali government.
The group said the hotel was targeted because it hosts "Western" embassies coordinating the offensive, the Washington Post reported.
Lu said that China has lodged representations with Somalia in Mogadishu and Beijing separately. Somalia has promised to take all necessary measures and spare no effort to treat and cure the injured, properly deal with relevant issues and ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Somalia.
The fatal attack came as US President Barack Obama left Kenya for Ethiopia. The visit included discussions over how to deal with the threat of Al Shabaab.
Tense atmosphere
Liu Guijin, former Chinese special envoy for African affairs, who prior to 1991 had visited Somalia several times and recently went again, told the Global Times Monday that the atmosphere has been tense and that buildings had been destroyed in Mogadishu after the prolonged conflict.
The Jazeera Palace Hotel had been considered as the most secure hotel in the capital. The embassies are all situated on the top floors of the six-story building. However, the hotel had been targeted previously. In September 2012, bombers stormed the hotel when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was inside.
On July 10, Al Shabaab attacked two other hotels and a stadium that housed African Union peacekeepers. Six civilians and five attackers died.
Liu said the Chinese Embassy already had robust security measures. Military vehicles and security guards were deployed to protect foreign officials' safety. Embassies are also allowed to have their own security.
Cheng Tao, former director of the African division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said while China is rarely a direct target of terror attacks overseas, Chinese diplomats still run huge risks, as such attacks are often blind.
"China has been rarely attacked by terrorists [overseas], because it never intervenes in other countries' domestic matters," Cheng told the Global Times. "But terrorists could target anybody in order to avenge someone or for pure terror effect."
The Chinese Embassy in Somalia closed in 1991 because of the unstable political situation, but re-opened in October 2014.
Liu said China will not close the embassy in Somalia or evacuate staff at the moment because of the incident since it is a diplomats' duty to develop a bilateral relationship.
"Somalia is China's old friend, but the relationship had been suspended because of war. The Somalia government hopes friendly countries such as China will support them," he said.
