China urges Angola to protect Chinese citizens

BEIJING, Apr 26 – Chinese State Councilor Meng Jianzhu has urged the Angolan Interior Department to protect the safety and lawful rights of China’s citizens in Angola, as crimes by armed gangs against Chinese working in the African country have been on the rise.

Meng, also China’s minister of public security, called for a crackdown on such crimes and told Angolan Minister of the Interior Sebastian Jose Antonio Martins during a meeting on Wednesday that China attaches great importance to developing a strategic partnership with Angola.

Friendly cooperation between law enforcement departments of the two countries is an important part of the bilateral strategic partnership, Meng said.

Police from China and Angola jointly busted a gang that kidnapped Chinese females and forced them into prostitution in Angola last October.

Meng called on law enforcement departments of the two countries to enhance communication, promote pragmatic cooperation, and jointly combat such transnational crimes.

Martins said the Angolan government values friendly cooperation with China and is willing to enhance bilateral cooperation on fighting crime and safeguarding social security.

After the meeting, the two sides signed a cooperative agreement on safeguarding public security and social orders.