afrol News, 13 November - The recent escalation of violent attacks targeting Chinese construction workers in Angola could sour relation between two countries, said Eddie Zhang, head of Shanghai Urban Construction Group.

Mr Zhang said a number of gang robberies has targeted Chinese companies and housing compounds in recent months. The Chinese company is building Luanda's new football stadium for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN).

Local reports said other attacks on Chinese national have gone unreported.

The Company official said the latest string of attacks are not just normal robberies, saying robbers go for inspection of the premises before they could carry an attack. He however said his staff had not had any problems but he had warned them to take extra care.

A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Luanda said that they were aware of incidents against Chinese nationals and were working with Angolan authorities to resolve the problem.

Mr Xu Ning, the head of the Chinese Business Council in Luanda, said Chinese living in Angola were increasingly afraid.

Chinese companies have a number of contracts in the southern African country, including new roads, airports, and government buildings, as well as four CAN 2010 stadiums. Chinese credit lines to Angola are believed to exceed five billion dollars.

More than 40 000 Chinese workers are in Angola, around 90 percent on construction sites.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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