Bad apples in Africa: Chinese traders' and companies' behaviour worries envoy
China's reputation being tarnished across continent by the behaviour of some Chinese nationals and companies, ambassador to Tanzania says
The "bad habits" of Chinese traders and companies were among the main challenges to the nation's image in Africa, according to ambassador to Tanzania, Lu Youqing.
In an interview published in yesterday's Southern Metropolis News, Lu also flagged his concerns about the quality of some infrastructure projects in nearby African countries that were built by Chinese contractors at questionably low prices.
"Tanzania hosts ambassadors from about 70 countries, but none of them needs to constantly worry like us about consular protection issues," Lu said in response to a question about alleged police harassment and robberies targeting Chinese in Africa.
"Our people just cannot shake their bad habits. When they come to Africa, they are not united and engage in infighting like usual," Lu said, referring to competition among Chinese companies over contracts and bribes offered to Tanzanian officials to lobby on their behalf.
He said the embassy became tense every time Tanzania announced another ivory seizure.
"[Some Chinese here] knowingly engage in illegal activities. Of course, they're only a minority," Lu added.
Lu said he received complaints from local officials and police about Chinese nationals who hid ivory inside the bonnets of cars and even inside the bras of female air passengers.