Sudanese rebels release 29 Chinese workers

Sudanese rebels released 29 Chinese road workers on Tuesday who were captured January 28 from a camp run by China’s Power Construction company in the restive South Kordofan region, The Wall Street Journal reported. Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the abducted Chinese boarded a plane of the International Committee of the Red Cross early Tuesday bound for Nairobi in Kenya, where they were handed over to China’s local embassy. One worker died in a rescue attempt. China’s Foreign Ministry said the workers were in sound physical condition and “stable mood.” China thanked Sudan, South Sudan and the ICRC for their efforts. The Sudanese government spokesman Rabie Abdelaty hailed the release, describing it as “a strong commitment” to protect Chinese investments, but declined to provide any details of an agreement that paved the way for the hostages’ release.