Chinese workers living in Angola targeted by gangs
- Source: Global Times
- [03:06 November 16 2009]
- Comments
By Zuo Xuan
Chinese businessmen in Angola said Sunday that armed gangs are staging "mafia-style" attacks on their workers, calling for the local government to deploy more police to fight crime.
"In the last three months, everyday I have gotten reports from Chinese targeted by robbery, rape and beatings. The criminals are so cruel that they make me feel horrible," said Xu Ning, the head of the Chinese Business Council in Luanda, who has lived in the Angolan capital for more than 10 years.
Xu told the Global Times that gunmen took away his newly bought Mitsubishi truck Saturday near a police station.
"The robbers are not afraid of the police at all," Xu said. "Some police offices only have one policeman, and they themselves are frightened by the gunmen, not to mention helping us."
"These are not just normal robberies. ... They are planned, like mafia-style attacks. The gangs go first to inspect premises, and then they go back with AK-47s," said Eddie Zhang, head of the Shanghai Urban Construction Group, the company building Luanda's new football stadium for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
Zhang said his staff had not had any problems, but he had warned his workers to take extra care.
More than 40,000 Chinese workers are employed in Angola, around 90 percent on construction sites. Language, cultural barrier, and the habit of carrying cash, seem to be the reasons they are targeted.
Xu said the largest amount robbed he knew of was $700,000. "As the Chinese seldom resist, the hijackers became ever bolder," he added.
According to Xu, Angolans are allowed to carry guns, but foreigners who are not entitled to permanent residency are not.
A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Luanda said that they were aware of incidents against Chinese nationals and were working with Angolan authorities to resolve the problem.
Not only in Angola are Chinese nationals facing a rise in violent attacks, theft and extortion, according to Xinhua, but also in Kyrgyzstan.
Several Chinese were injured in burglaries and road robberies in which they were attacked with sticks and guns, said a statement released by the Chinese embassy Friday.
Having been to more than 20 African countries, Liu Hongwu, director of the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, told the Global Times ways of looking after oneself abroad.
"First, you should learn about consular protection, and know where and how to get help when an emergency occurs; second, you should have enough knowledge of the culture, religions and laws in the country and make sure you do not go against them. Finally, it never hurts to be cautious, cautious and cautious, especially when you know the place is not safe," Liu said.
Agencies contributed to this story
