The eight Chinese released from captivity in Iraq
safely returned to their homes on Thursday. They were joyfully
reunited with eagerly awaiting families early this morning.
The hostages flew from Iraq on Tuesday via Jordan,
Bahrain and Hong Kong, and reached Fuzhou Changle International
Airport yesterday at 7:40 PM.
Zhai Jun, director-general of the Foreign
Ministry's Western Asia and North Africa Department, met the men at
the airport along with Fujian
provincial government officials before escorting them to their
homes on the island county of Pingtan.
"He's back safe," said Wei Shoulong, father of Wei
Wu, a former hostage. "His mother and I are just so happy."
A fellow villager brought him several kilograms of
noodles, which, according to local tradition, represent safety.
The hostages were freed last Saturday, but were not
located by the Chinese Embassy in Baghdad until Sunday. They had
traveled to Iraq to seek work.??
(China Daily January 27, 2005)