The Chinese Embassy has spoken on the recent arrests of some Chinese citizens engaged in illegal mining.
According to the Embassy, the Chinese government has always requested Chinese citizens in overseas to abide by the laws and regulations of the host country.
It further stated in official remarks by the Embassy that it “firmly opposes Chinese citizens to engage in any illegal activities in any country and supports the Ghanaian government to fight against illegal mining according to the law”.
It however backed decision by the Ghanaian government to enforce its laws but the Embassy demanded that the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens are fully safeguarded.
“We respect the Ghanaian side to deal with relevant cases according to the law. We hope the Ghanaian side fully safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens.”
This statement comes on the back of the arrest of Chinese national, En Huang, popularly known as Aisha Huang for allegedly engaging in illegal mining.
She was arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court on Monday on charges of mining without a licence, and engaging in the sale and purchase of minerals without a valid licence.
She was arraigned somewhere in 2018 for similar offences but the Attorney General, then, filed a nolle prosequi on the case, agreeing to deport her to her home country.
However, she is said to have returned to Ghana on a Togolese visa but was identified through intelligence by the security agencies.
By Vincent Kubi