Story highlights Deaths underscore the risks of China's growing international influence

State newspaper: Guarding Chinese nationals overseas a new challenge

(CNN) China has expressed "grave concern" over reports that ISIS has killed two Chinese teachers kidnapped in Pakistan.

The man and woman, said by Chinese media to be a couple, were kidnapped by armed men on May 24 from the city of Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's Balochistan province, on May 24 on their way to teach a Chinese language class, a senior security officer told CNN last month.

Amaq, a news agency affiliated with ISIS, said Thursday that Islamic State fighters had killed two Chinese teachers who were being held in the Mastung, Balochistan. The group also released a video, which showed two bodies shot and bleeding on some grassy ground.

"China resolutely opposes all forms of kidnapping of civilians and opposes all forms of terrorism and extreme acts of violence," said Hua Chunying, the spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Friday.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was "working to confirm authenticity of the reports of killing of two Chinese nationals, kidnapped in Quetta."

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