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China investigating ‘illegal preaching’ in Pakistan slaying

In this photo taken July 15, 2014, Pastor Tao Chongyin, left, speaks with church member Fan Liang'an in front of the Wuxi Christian Church with the words "Church of Jesus" in red, in Longwan, Wenzhou in eastern China's Zhejiang province. When one rural village re-erected a cross in the summer, authorities put it under a 24-hour watch, which has now gone on for nearly five months. "This year's Christmas has been exceptional, as a group of uniformed men have been helping us move tables, direct traffic, and guard holiday decorations as well as the front door, the back door, the warehouse and the sanctuary," Tao wrote on a social media site. (AP Photo/Didi Tang)
In this photo taken July 15, 2014, Pastor Tao Chongyin, left, speaks with church member Fan Liang'an in front of the Wuxi Christian Church with the words "Church of Jesus" in red, in Longwan, Wenzhou in eastern China's Zhejiang province. When one rural village re-erected a cross in the summer, authorities put it under a 24-hour watch, which has now gone on for nearly five months. "This year's Christmas has been exceptional, as a group of uniformed men have been helping us move tables, direct traffic, and guard holiday decorations as well as the front door, the back door, the warehouse and the sanctuary," Tao wrote on a social media site. (AP Photo/Didi Tang) In this photo taken July 15, 2014, Pastor Tao Chongyin, left, speaks with church member Fan Liang'an in front of the Wuxi Christian Church with the words "Church of Jesus" in red, in Longwan, Wenzhou in eastern China's Zhejiang province. When one rural village re-erected a cross in the summer, authorities put it under a 24-hour watch, which has now gone on for nearly five months. "This year's Christmas has been exceptional, as a group of uniformed men have been helping us move tables, direct traffic, and guard holiday decorations as well as the front door, the back door, the warehouse and the sanctuary," Tao wrote on a social media site. (AP Photo/Didi Tang)

By Associated Press 1 min read

BEIJING (AP) – China says it is investigating claims that two of its citizens were engaged in illegal preaching before they were killed by Islamic extremists in Pakistan.

Foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a Wednesday statement that Chinese officials have yet to directly confirm the deaths.

The Chinese pair was abducted at gunpoint May 24 in the city of Quetta. Islamic State militants claimed the killings on Friday and released a video purporting to show their bodies.

Pakistani officials identified the victims Tuesday as 24-year-old Lee Zing Yang and 26-year-old Meng Li Si. They say they entered Pakistan on business visas but later began “preaching,” without offering details.

China, a longtime ally of Pakistan, is investing billions of dollars in an economic corridor linking the Asian neighbors.