On Monday the Chinese Embassy in Sudan said the 29 workers kidnapped in South Kordofan remain in detention.

They were kidnapped by Sudan People's Liberation Movement fighters on Saturday.

On Sunday the SPLM said it took the Chinese workers into custody following a battle with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the area between Rashad and Al Abbasiya.

There is a disagreement over the number of workers still in detention. The government's Sudan news agency quoted a Sudanese official saying the SAF managed to free 14 of the workers.

However the Chinese embassy in Sudan said they could not confirm any releases.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce yesterday urged Chinese enterprises and workers to increase safety precautions.