BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday instructed the Foreign Ministry as well as Chinese embassies and consulates to Papua New Guinea and other countries to take measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Solomon Islands and help them tide over the current hardships facing them.

    Hu, who is now in Saudi Arabia for a state visit, also expressed his warm solicitude for the affected Chinese community in the riot-torn South Pacific state.

    Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has also instructed the Foreign Ministry and other relevant departments to closely follow the developments and take all necessary means to ensure the safety of local Chinese citizens in the Solomon Islands.

    Violent protests erupted in Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands, on Tuesday night. Reports said dozens of Chinese-owned shops in the Chinatown in Honiara were looted. There were injuries but no death to the Chinese community following the two-day looting.

    The Chinese embassy to Papua New Guinea has contacted the Solomon Islands police to secure the safety of Chinese citizens. Enditem