The Chinese embassy in Iraq has confirmed that the eight kidnapped Chinese nationals in the country were released on Saturday.

Chinese embassies and consulates in Iraq and neighboring countries are doing everything they can to contact the eight Chinese citizens.

Earlier, the Al-Arabiya television station reported the eight Chinese were freed and handed to the Committee of Muslim Scholars.

On Saturday, a group of Chinese negotiators arrived in Jordan and attempted to secure the hostages' release.

The eight Chinese, aged between 18 and 40, are from southeast China's Fujian Province and went missing last week.

The Chinese government launched rescue efforts and urged insurgents to free the innocent hostages.