China apologizes for Indians' torture NEW DELHI, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- China said it began criminal proceedings against five people accused of torturing two Indian traders near Shanghai and promised to safeguard Indian nationals. Chinese ambassador Zhang Yan provided the country's response Wednesday to the alleged torture of the two Indians in Yiwu to S.M. Krishna, India's external affairs minister, and a senior official during separate meetings, Press Trust of India reported. Indian officials said they were satisfied with the response to the torture of the two traders. I had detailed discussion with your foreign minister. The Chinese government attaches great importance to this matter. We are working very hard to find a solution to this issue and to resolve it as early as possible," Zhang told reporters after meeting with Krishna. Krishna said he and Zhang agreed safety of all Indians in China is of "utmost importance." "I am immensely pleased and satisfied with the quick response I got from the Chinese ambassador and also pleased and satisfied with the local authorities in China, who have been cooperative," Krishna said.