WORLD> Chinese-Algerian Clash
More than 10 Chinese injured in clash with Algerians
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-08-07 14:11

More than 10 Chinese were injured during a recent clash between Chinese businessmen and local people in Algiers, an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

The official, whose surname is Liu, said he did not know whether any of the Chinese were seriously injured. Liu did not say whether the ministry will initiate an emergency response mechanism. At the worst scenario, the mechanism could trigger off the evacuation of Chinese citizens from Algeria.

The violence began after an argument between a Chinese youth and a local Algerian in the Bab Ezzouar district of Algiers escalated into a clash between Chinese businessmen and local Algerians in which five Chinese-owned cars were damaged and five Chinese stores were looted.