China has promised revenge on ISIS for killing one of its citizens, an action it called a "savage act devoid of humanity."
The declaration came after ISIS claimed in the latest issue of Dabiq, the militant group's English-language propaganda magazine, that it had executed Chinese and Norwegian hostages who had been held for ransom, according to the Independent.
In a brief statement, China's Foreign Ministry revealed the man's identity as Fan Jinghui, saying he had been "cruelly murdered." It had announced in September that one of its citizens had been captured by Islamic State.
"The Chinese government strongly condemns this savage act devoid of humanity and will certainly bring the criminals to justice," the statement added.
"The Chinese government will resolutely oppose all forms of terrorism, and resolutely strike at any violent terrorist criminal activities that defy the bottom lines of human culture," the statement continued. "China will continue to strengthen anti-terrorism cooperation with the international community to maintain peace and tranquility in the world."
Speaking in Manila while attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping "strongly condemned" the killing, according to the Xinhua news agency.
Norway also condemned the killing of Fan and the Norwegian citizen identified as Ole Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad.
"We have no grounds to doubt the contents of the photos that have been published," said Norway's Foreign Minister Boerge Brende.
Despite this bold declaration, the incident presents a dilemma for China, which has a long-held principle of non-interference in foreign affairs and has remained on the sidelines as other global powers continue to escalate their attacks on ISIS, according to CNN.
Thus far, Beijing has been vague about what it will contribute to the ongoing battle and has refused to offer its support for airstrikes being carried out against ISIS in Syria.
