BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government will work with the Pakistani side to make every effort to rescue two Chinese nationals abducted Wednesday in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Thursday.

Lu Kang said at a daily press briefing that the Chinese government attached great importance to the safety and security of Chinese nationals overseas and denounced abduction in all its forms.

"The Chinese government has maintained close communication with Pakistan since the abduction took place and urged Pakistan to take all necessary measures to secure the early release of the hostages," Lu said.

He said that China called on Pakistan to take further steps to ensure the safety and security of Chinese nationals and institutions in Pakistan.

"The Chinese government will work with the Pakistani side to spare no efforts to rescue the two nationals at an early date," the spokesperson said.

According to reports, a couple who were teaching Chinese in Pakistan were kidnapped by unknown gunmen Wednesday afternoon in Quetta, the provincial capital of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan Province.

The kidnappers, disguised as police, initially took away three Chinese, two women and a man, but a passerby named Muhammad Zahir helped one of the women escape.

Police and other law enforcement agencies launched a search and rescue operation in Quetta and its adjoining areas Wednesday evening.