China urges S. Africa to crack cases of armed robbery (Xinhua) Updated: 2006-02-10 08:40
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has urged the South African government to bring
those responsible for the recent armed robberies against Chinese citizens to
justice as soon as possible.
Huang Ping, deputy director of the consulate department of the ministry, had
an urgent meeting with Vusi B. Koloane, charge d'affaires of the South African
Embassy to China, according to a press release from the ministry.
Huang told the South African diplomat that the Chinese government attaches
great importance to the life and property safety of overseas Chinese citizens
and is very concerned with the cases.
"We hope South Africa will take China's concerns into full consideration,
severely punish the killers according to law and take whatever measures
necessary to improve the local security situation to prevent the reoccurrence of
similar cases," Huang said.
Koloane vowed that South Africa would strive to investigate in the cases and
would join with Chinese police to launch an effective campaign against organized
crime within the country.
He also expressed his condolences to the victims who were killed in the armed
robberies.
Three Chinese business people were killed by armed robbers in South Africa
within 36 hours last weekend; another one was killed earlier this year.
China has already appealed to Chinese citizens in South Africa to keep alert
and take necessary defensive measures.
According to the latest official statistics, more than 40 armed robbery cases
against Chinese citizens occurred in South Africa last year, resulting in eight
fatalities.
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