24-hour global link to assist citizens mired in difficulties

A 24-hour hotline with worldwide access will be set up this year to help Chinese citizens in difficulties aboard, a Foreign Ministry official said on Tuesday.

Any Chinese citizen abroad -no matter where they are - will be able to seek consular protection and assistance from their home country if they face emergencies or difficulties, Huang Ping, director of the ministry's department of consular affairs, said at a news briefing.