Thirty workers were held hostage when local protestors attacked Chinese-invested Andes Petroleum on November 10, according to spokesperson of China's Foreign Affair Ministry , Jiang Yu, in a regular news conference yesterday.

Protestors asked for a salary increase, a change to security personnel, and localizing the service company.

The Chinese Embassy in Ecuador immediately contacted the company to ensure the safety of Chinese workers and property. All the hostages were released in the evening of the day of protests.

By People's Daily Online