China Tuesday denounced the abduction and killing of Russian diplomats taken hostage in Iraq.

"China condemns the abduction and killing of Russian diplomats and hope that the security of the diplomats from all countries in Iraq could be guaranteed," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu at a routine news conference Tuesday afternoon.

The four diplomats were abducted in Baghdad on June 3 when their vehicle came under fire from gunmen. The fifth Russian diplomat was killed in the attack.

The Russia Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday that four Russian diplomats taken hostage in Iraq had been killed by their abductors.

"We are deeply saddened to report that despite all measures taken to secure the release of the Russian embassy employees in Iraq, the situation is irreparable," the Russian ministry said in a statement.

Source: Xinhua