China's envoy to Pakistan is suspected to have been the target of a bombing in the parking lot of Serena Hotel in the Pakistani capital city of Quetta - killing at least four people and wounding more than a dozen others
China ambassador Nong Rong was staying at the hotel but wasn't there when the bomb exploded, sheikh Rashid Ahmad, Pakistan's interior minister, said.
"A Chinese delegation of around four people led by the ambassador was lodging in the hotel. The ambassador was out for a meeting when the explosion took place," CNA quoted Ahmad as saying.
Nong had met with Provincial Chief Minister Jam Kamal in Quetta earlier in the day, according to a Twitter comment from provincial government representative Liaquat Shahwani.
Ahmad quickly blamed its neighbor, India, for the attack although he gave no evidence to back up his claim.
An explosives-laden vehicle detonated by a suspected suicide bomber exploded Wednesday, Reuters and the BBC reported Thursday.
Hours after the explosion, the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, the Pakistani Taliban said it was a "suicide attack" in which the suicide bomber used his explosives-laden car in the hotel.
Also known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the Pakistani Taliban is a separate rebel organization belonging to the Afghan Taliban.
The group and other insurgent organizations have stepped up attacks in tribal areas near the border with Afghanistan in recent months.
According to Provincial Home Minister Ziaullah Lango, the Chinese official was fine. "I just met him. He's in high spirits," Lango said, adding Nong would complete his visit to the capital city Thursday.
The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The insurgent groups want independence from Pakistan, and oppose major infrastructure projects by the Chinese in the area, the BBC said.
