BEIJING, Sept. 11 -- China on Thursday welcomed the release of two Algerian diplomats kidnapped in April 2012 in northern Mali, and expressed condolences to the families of another two diplomats who were killed earlier.

At a regular press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying welcomed the release of the final two of seven diplomats kidnapped after the turmoil in Mali in 2012.

China appreciates Algeria's active role in promoting Mali's stability and national reconciliation, she said.

Algerian State Television, quoting the foreign ministry, announced their release on Aug. 30. The report did not specify when the release took place or whether the freed hostages have returned home yet, but it said no ransom was paid to free the diplomats.

Seven Algerian diplomats, including vice-consul in Gao Tahar Touati, were kidnapped by the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) on April 5, 2012, following the eruption of chaos in northern Mali.

In mid-July 2012, the extremist group released three diplomats. However, the vice-consul was reported executed, while another hostage, namely Boualem Sayes, died of illness.

The two who survived the kidnapping are Mourad Mekssas and Kadour Miloudi.