Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China |

Director-General of Department of African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lin Songtian Lodges Representations with Zambia over Arrested Chinese Nationals

Lin Songtian said that the Chinese side understands and supports Zambia's efforts in fighting against criminals such as illegally mining

BEIJING, China, June 7, 2017/APO/ --

On June 4, 2017, Director-General of the Department of African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lin Songtian requested an urgent meeting with Charge d'Affaires ad Interim of the Zambian Embassy in China Geoffrey Banda and lodged representations with the Zambia over the recent arrested 31 Chinese nationals by the police of Copperbelt Province of Zambia.

Lin Songtian said that the Chinese side understands and supports Zambia's efforts in fighting against criminals such as illegally mining. However the Zambian side indiscriminately arrested Chinese nationals including one pregnant woman and two malaria patients without solid evidence and law enforcement certificate. The Chinese side expresses grave concern and resolute opposition, and expects the Zambian side to address the above mentioned event properly as soon as possible, safeguard the righteous and lawful rights of Chinese nationals, release the innocent as soon as possible, and offer humanitarian treatment to the detained Chinese nationals especially the pregnant woman and the sick, in order to maintain China-Zambia friendly bilateral relationship and cooperation.

Understanding China's position and concerns, Geoffrey Banda stressed that the Zambian Embassy in China attaches great importance to China's views, and will report to the Zambian government immediately. Geoffrey Banda expressed that the Zambian side values bilateral relations and is willing to closely work with the Chinese side to settle the case properly. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.