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Chinese migrants in Algiers clash | Chinese migrants in Algiers clash |
(about 7 hours later) | |
About 100 local residents and Chinese migrant workers have clashed in the Algerian capital, some brandishing knives and rods, reports say. | About 100 local residents and Chinese migrant workers have clashed in the Algerian capital, some brandishing knives and rods, reports say. |
Ten Chinese migrants were injured and two Chinese shops looted, Reuters reported, citing a Chinese diplomat. | |
Violence flared after a confrontation between a shop owner and a migrant in the city's Bab Ezzouar district. | Violence flared after a confrontation between a shop owner and a migrant in the city's Bab Ezzouar district. |
High unemployment among young Algerians has fuelled tensions over migrant workers who accept lower pay. | High unemployment among young Algerians has fuelled tensions over migrant workers who accept lower pay. |
A shopkeeper told Reuters that the fight broke out after a disagreement with a Chinese migrant worker. | A shopkeeper told Reuters that the fight broke out after a disagreement with a Chinese migrant worker. |
"I told him not to park his car in front of my shop, but he insulted me," 31-year-old Abdelkrim Salouda said. | "I told him not to park his car in front of my shop, but he insulted me," 31-year-old Abdelkrim Salouda said. |
"I punched him, I thought it was over, but after 30 minutes he came back with at least 50 Chinese to take revenge. It is a miracle I am still alive." | "I punched him, I thought it was over, but after 30 minutes he came back with at least 50 Chinese to take revenge. It is a miracle I am still alive." |
Firms in Africa's third largest economy say that they depend on Chinese labour - often better qualified and willing to accept lower wages than Algerian workers - to staff the construction sector. | Firms in Africa's third largest economy say that they depend on Chinese labour - often better qualified and willing to accept lower wages than Algerian workers - to staff the construction sector. |
Official estimates put the number of Chinese migrant workers living in Algeria at 35,000. | Official estimates put the number of Chinese migrant workers living in Algeria at 35,000. |
Some 8,000 work in the building sector in Algeria, according to Agence France Presse, and in the Bab Ezzouar district alone Chinese firms have built dozens of structures. | Some 8,000 work in the building sector in Algeria, according to Agence France Presse, and in the Bab Ezzouar district alone Chinese firms have built dozens of structures. |
A diplomat at the Chinese embassy said he hoped Algerian authorities would look into the fighting but added that it would not affect relations between the two countries. | A diplomat at the Chinese embassy said he hoped Algerian authorities would look into the fighting but added that it would not affect relations between the two countries. |
"Our friendship with Algeria is strong and this event is nothing in comparison with the links between our two countries," Ling Jun said. | "Our friendship with Algeria is strong and this event is nothing in comparison with the links between our two countries," Ling Jun said. |
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