Consul following Bali hotel deaths of 2 Chinese citizens

The Chinese Consulate-General in Denpasar, Indonesia, is closely following the case of two Chinese citizens who were found dead at a hotel in Bali, a popular destination for Chinese tourists.

On May 1, a Chinese man and a woman were found dead at an Inter-Continental hotel in Bali, local media reported.

The spokesperson for the Chinese Consulate-General said Consul General Zhu Xinglong met with Denpasar Police Commissioner Bambang Yugo Pamungkas on Friday.

The two sides exchanged views on strengthening police cooperation and ensuring the safety of Chinese tourists in Bali, the spokesperson said in a statement posted on the Chinese Consulate-General's website on Saturday.

According to Denpasar police, the government of Indonesia has asked them to focus on the case and urged them to solve it as quickly as possible. A special investigation team has been set up and it will keep the Chinese Consulate-General updated.

The spokesperson added that the Consulate General contacted the local police as soon as they learned about the case and has closely followed updates. Meanwhile, it briefed the families of the deceased and provided assistance to help them to come to Bali.

Local media reports said the man was found lying in the hotel corridor covered in blood. The woman was found in the bathroom with a neck wound. Both were naked.

The room had been booked by the woman, who checked in alone on April 30. The man is said to have arrived at 12:17 am on May 1. The two later ordered food, which was delivered to the room at around 1:20 am.

At around 6:34 am on Monday morning, a hotel staff member received a call from a guest who said they heard calls for help from the hallway. Staff then discovered the bodies of the two Chinese guests, according to local media reports.

Stefanus Satake Bayu, a spokesman for Bali police, said on Sunday that they have investigated the crime scene and interviewed 15 people, including staff and guests. They have not yet been able to determine whether the pair took their own lives or if murder was involved.

The case has been widely discussed on Chinese social media. While airing their concerns, people also said they hope Bali police are able to solve the case as soon as possible.

Prior to the May Day holiday — a five-day break in China that began on April 29 — the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Centre for Consular Assistance and Protection issued travel advice to people who planned to spend their holiday abroad.

It advised them to take care of their personal belongings and travel documents while avoiding traveling to remote and high-risk areas. Also, people were urged to remain calm in incidents such as robberies or car accidents and to seek help from local police.