KUALA LUMPUR - The Chinese government on Thursday expressed its concerns over the alleged abduction of a Chinese tourist in Malaysia's eastern state of Sabah.

Liu Quan, the consul-general in Kuching, has had an urgent meeting with Sabah's Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun and State Police Commissioner Hamza Taib.

The two local officials said they would keep close contact with the Chinese side, and verify and investigate the incident as soon as possible, adding they would keep the consulate informed.

Liu told Xinhua that the Chinese consulate had started a 24- hour emergency mechanism, and the officials were on their way to the spot of the incident.

Reports said a Chinese tourist and a local employee were kidnapped Wednesday by a group of armed men in the state of Sabah.