BEIJING - China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) Thursday urged Chinese citizens and companies in Yemen and the Central African Republic to take caution due to deteriorating safety situations in those countries.

In a statement posted on its website, the MOC warned Chinese people not to travel to Yemen for the time being and suggested that people who have plans to travel or invest in the Central African Republic to closely monitor local conditions.

The ministry also encouraged Chinese companies in those regions to enhance their security procedures.

The statement came after reports of an increase in violent incidents in Yemen and several recent robberies committed against Chinese people in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.