The Chinese embassy in Guinea on Monday condemned and dismissed as rumors reports claiming that the Guinean government had arrested Chinese nationals.

The online reports said that the Chinese nationals in the West African country were arrested in retaliation to alleged discrimination against Africans in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.

"The Chinese diplomatic mission, as always, will make every effort to safeguard the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in Guinea," read the embassy's statement.

All parties should maintain solidarity and mutual trust, strengthen coordination and cooperation as the COVID-19 epidemic is spreading all over the world, the embassy added.