BEIJING - Vice Foreign Minister Xie Hangsheng on Monday urgently summoned Felix Ngoma, charge d'affaires of the Republic of Congo's embassy in China, after Chinese nationals were killed and injured in an arsenal blast in the country's capital, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The blast occurred at 8 am on Sunday, local time, in Brazzaville.

Xie called for the Republic of Congo to take all necessary measures to rescue and treat the injured Chinese.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to safeguarding its overseas citizens, the vice foreign minister said.

Xie said a Chinese working group will soon reach the Republic of Congo.

The Republic of Congo also should protect the security of other Chinese organizations, enterprises and personnel in the country, Xie said.

Xie acknowledged that the two countries' relations have always been friendly. "The Republic of Congo repeatedly provided precious aid to us when China suffered serious natural disasters in recent years," Xie said.

China expresses condolence and sympathy to the severe casualties in the Republic of Congo due to the unfortunate incident, Xie said.

Ngoma gave his thanks for China's sympathy and solicitude.

"The Republic of Congo feels sorry about the Chinese fatalities and injuries due to the blast," Ngoma said. The country's president Denis Sassou Nguesso has visited the injured Chinese for the first time.

The Republic of Congo attaches great importance to China's concern and request, Ngoma said. He promised to fully cooperate with the Chinese side on the work of medical treatment and post-blast management and take positive measures to strengthen the safety protection of the Chinese personnel in the country.

The Chinese Embassy in the Republic of Congo has confirmed six Chinese are dead and dozens injured, some of them seriously.

About 140 Chinese workers of the Beijing Construction Engineering Group were working at a nearby construction site when the explosion occurred.