Detained Chinese nationals refuse to be deported from Zambia

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The 31 Chinese nationals detained in Zambia for alleged illegal mining practices failed to return to China on Monday afternoon as planned, after they refused to be deported from Zambia, reported Xinhua Africa.

The Chinese nationals, who were working for Chinese copper smelting companies in the African country, were arrested by police in Zambia's Copperbelt Province for offences reportedly including running unlicensed smelting plants and employing children.

The jail where 31 Chinese nationals were detained in Ndola, Zambia. /Xinhua Africa Photo

They were scheduled to board Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET871 at Ndola international airport to return home at 3:30 p.m. on Monday local time, according to the report.

However, they reportedly refused to sign a deportation letter as the authorities required, calling instead for a normal departure.

Deportations expected this week

According to Red Star News, a Chinese online publication, Chinese embassy officials said Zambia has agreed to release the Chinese detainees.

However, local authorities want to deport the Chinese nationals based on their failure to "conform to the laws of the country [Zambia]," reported the Times of Zambia citing Moolo Milimo, chief of the country's Immigration Department.

The deportations were expected to be carried out this week, said Milimo.

China complains over detainment

At a press conference on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said China has lodged “solemn representations” to Zambia over the detainment.

‍ Chinese Foreign Ministry‍ spokesperson Hua Chunying speaks at a press conference June 5, 2017. /MOFA Photo

"China never defends illegal actions, but opposes selective law-enforcement actions against its citizens overseas," Hua said at a routine press briefing.

The Chinese embassy in Zambia has sent a working group to the site to offer consular protection to the detainees, according to the spokesperson.

Chinese embassy officials arrive in Copperbelt Province, Zambia, June 4, 2017. /Xinhua Africa Photo

Lin Songtian, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's director-general for African affairs, had earlier accused Zambia of failing to provide strong proof of the crimes the 31 were accused of. Lin also noted that the group included a pregnant woman and two victims of malaria.

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