The central government and Chinese companies operating in Iraq have prepared evacuation plans for workers from China if the situation in the strife-torn Middle Eastern nation continues to worsen.

At least 15 Chinese companies are operating in Iraq, most of them in the energy, construction and telecommunications sectors, employing more than 10,000 Chinese workers, government figures show.

Most of the workers are in safe areas of the country. But Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily briefing on Thursday, "We will assist the small number in unsafe parts to be evacuated to safe places as soon as possible."