Two Chinese nationals were killed in an explosion outside the international airport in Karachi, in southern Pakistan, on Sunday.

A Pakistani separatist militant group claimed responsibility, saying it was an attack targeting people from China.

The Associated Press quoted local authorities as saying the blast killed two workers and injured at least eight others near the airport in the country's largest city.

The Chinese embassy in Pakistan on Monday released a statement, describing the explosion as a terrorist attack against its nationals.

The Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, which seeks independence for Balochistan province from Pakistan, released a statement late on Sunday, claiming it had targeted a convoy carrying Chinese nationals.

China is promoting projects like building infrastructure of port facilities and developing natural resources in Pakistan in line with its Belt and Road initiative.

The BLA claims these projects exploit the province. It has carried out a number of terror attacks targeting Chinese nationals.