China’s embassy in the Central African Republic (CAR) has warned that its citizens are at serious risk of becoming “mining slaves” in the country’s troubled gold sector. The warning comes as growing numbers of Chinese workers turn to sub-Saharan Africa for opportunities amid a slowdown in China’s economy and shrinking job prospects at home.
Rising Dangers for Chinese Workers Abroad
The embassy said Chinese nationals have been killed, kidnapped, and defrauded by armed groups and even by their business partners. Others have been lured into illegal mining operations, only to be scammed or deported. According to the statement issued on Thursday, several Chinese citizens have lost their identification documents, effectively trapping them in forced labour conditions.
As gold prices soar and China increases its gold reserves through state-backed purchases, many workers from China have sought fortune in resource-rich African nations. Along with the Central African Republic, countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, and Mali have also become hotspots for illegal mining, fuelled by weak oversight and poor law enforcement.
Embassy Issues Strong Security Warning
The Chinese embassy in Bangui stated that nationals involved in CAR’s gold trade face “significant security risks.” It added that some Chinese workers have been ambushed or killed amid widespread militia activity, while others have died in conflicts between armed factions or from diseases such as malaria. The statement also mentioned incidents disguised as accidents, including alleged “car crashes” and “hangings” following disputes between shareholders.
While the embassy did not disclose how many Chinese citizens currently work in CAR’s mines, it urged all nationals to leave immediately, citing the extreme danger in areas outside the capital, Bangui.
Economic Struggles and Beijing’s Response
The Central African Republic, one of the poorest countries in the world, has been in civil conflict for more than a decade but possesses vast reserves of gold, diamonds, and oil. China has provided over $26 million in loans to the nation and traditionally avoids commenting on other countries’ internal affairs, following its long-standing principle of non-interference. However, Beijing has recently become more vocal about protecting Chinese citizens abroad.
This shift in tone is also reflected in Chinese popular culture. The blockbuster film Wolf Warrior 2 portrays a former Chinese soldier rescuing citizens in a war-torn African country, ending with the patriotic message: “Don’t give up if you run into danger abroad. Please remember, a strong motherland will always have your back.”
Both China and the US currently advise against travel to the Central African Republic. The embassy statement also included the words of a grieving Chinese mother who lost her son to the dangerous mining trade, saying, “The thing I regret most in this life is not stopping my son from going to the Central African Republic to dig for gold.”
(with inputs from Reuters)
