Looting worries embassy in Venezuela
By Cao Desheng (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-11-05 22:26

Four supermarkets owned by overseas Chinese in Carabobo of Venezuela were looted by local people with one being burnt down, a local Chinese newspaper reported.

The incident happened in the wake of local elections on Monday and is the cause of serious concern for the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela.

To alleviate tensions between the two parties during the election, the Venezuelan Government ordered police in some major cities off the streets unless ordered otherwise.Some looters saw this as a golden opportunity to wreak havoc,the newspaper said.

Chinese Ambassador Ju Yijie made an emergency call to the Venezuelan Government and asked for effective measures to prevent such occurrences and protect the lives and property of overseas Chinese in the country.

Local police have intensified their presence on the streets and stores owned by overseas Chinese have resumed operation, the newspaper said.

To safeguard Chinese citizens and establishments abroad amid increasing attacks against Chinese nationals, the Chinese State Council set up a mechanism of joint conference on Thursday.

The conference, attended by ministries under the jurisdiction of the Chinese State Council, will take charge of formulating policies and measures and dealing with major events concerning the safety and protection of citizens and organizations overseas.

"With the deepening of China's opening-up and reform, the number of Chinese citizens and organizations abroad has increased rapidly," said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing at the inaugural joint meeting.

"China cares deeply about Chinese peoples' interests and thinks much of protecting the legitimate rights and interests of its citizens and organizations overseas," Li said.

The number of attacks against Chinese citizens and establishments overseas has increased in recent years as China's profile has grown worldwide.

Last month, two Chinese engineers were taken hostage in Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan, with one killed and the other injured in a rescue operation by the Pakistani military.

On September 1, more than 10 Russian policemen arrested 15 Chinese businessmen and extorted 1,000 rubles from each.

Sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said all police officers involved have been punished.

The bodies of the 21 deceased Chinese cockle pickers who were caught in fast-rising tides in Morecambe Bay in northwestern England were brought home on Friday.

Relatives of the deceased will continue to consult with British authorities about compensation with the help of lawyers, sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

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