Two Chinese nationals shot at by masked assailants in Pakistan's Karachi

This is one of the several assaults targeting Chinese citizens in Pakistan that have occurred in recent times.

Two Chinese nationals, who work in a factory nearby, were travelling in a car when the gunmen rained bullets targeting them, AFP reported.

Another passenger received an injury in his arm in the attack, police added, the report said.

The incident has been also confirmed by China's foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijan.

The injured Chinese nationals are stable and recovering in hospital, Karachi police said, according to the report.

Zhao said the matter is being closely followed by China.

This incident comes in less than a month of an incident in which nine Chinese nationals lost their lives in an interior part of northern Pakistan.

At least 30 Chinese nationals were travelling in a bus when an explosion occurred. Initially, China called the incident a terror attack but quickly changed stance when Pakistan insisted that the explosion took place because of a technical snag in the bus.

It, however, urged Pakistan to ensure punishment for the perpetrators if the incident was indeed a terrorist attack.

Security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan has long been a matter of concern.

China has been pouring billions of dollars into Pakistan to boost its Belt and Road Initiative.

However, there is resentment among the locals over the various infrastructure projects that is part of the mega initiative. They feel that locals have little to benefit from them while most of the jobs are going to the outsiders.

In April, a suicide attack in a luxury hotel in southwest Balochistan province that was hosting Chinese ambassador killed four people and wounded dozens. The ambassador managed to escape unhurt in the incident.