China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang. Photo: Xinhua

BEIJING: China's Foreign Ministry has said they will work with the Pakistan government to investigate reports that the two Chinese nationals allegedly abducted by Daesh in Quetta were missionaries.

In a statement released late on Tuesday, ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China attached great importance on protecting the safety and legal rights of Chinese nationals overseas, but they must adhere to local laws and regulations, and respect local traditions and customs.

"As for reports that the relevant Chinese nationals were suspected of illegal missionary work in Pakistan, we will cooperate with the Pakistan government and launch an investigation in accordance with the law," Lu said.

China ?gravely concerned? over reports of kidnapped nationals? killing

Two Chinese teachers were kidnapped from Quetta?s Jinnah Town on May 24

The pair, identified as Lee Zing Yang, 24, and Meng Li Si, 26, were abducted by armed men pretending to be policemen on May 24 in Quetta. Last week, Daesh had claimed its members had kidnapped and then killed them.

The Interior Ministry on Monday alleged for the first time that the two Chinese nationals were preachers who had abused the visa system by posing as businesspersons to enter the country.

"Instead of engaging in any business activity they went to Quetta and under the garb of learning Urdu from a Korean national...were actually engaged in preaching," the ministry said in a statement.

It did not say what kind of preachers they were, nor did it say if the Korean was from North Korea or South Korea.

In his statement, Lu reiterated that China opposed all forms of terrorism and commended the Pakistan government's pledge to continue protecting Chinese people and businesses in the country.