The streets of Algiers are deserted following clashes between Chinese and Algerian traders, but the tension is palpable despite comments by Beijing’s envoy describing the unrest as an isolated incident.
“I thought I was going to die,” said Abdelkrim Salaouda, sitting on a chair in front of his shop selling household electrical goods in the city’s Bab Ezzouar quarter, 15km from the city center.
According to Salaouda, the clashes broke out over a dispute on Monday afternoon between a Chinese man and a young Algerian who was accused of having parked his car near his shop.
PHOTO: AFP
His brother came to his aid, but around 50 Chinese men, armed with swords, knives and iron bars then set upon the Algerian traders in support of their compatriot, residents said.
“I was going toward my neighbor’s shop when a group of Chinese attacked me and gave me a thrashing,” said Salaouda, whose head was still wrapped in a bandage.
“At the hospital I had to have seven stitches,” he said.
“The Chinese have taken advantage of the kindness of the Algerians. They were accepted despite their faults, today they are attacking us,” added one of Salaouda’s employees, Mounir.
“They drink alcohol in front of their shops and in full view of the Algerians and often parade about in shorts in the area. This sort of behavior is against our religion and our culture,” said Abdellah, another resident.
Since Monday police cars have been patrolling the area along with plainclothes officers.
Salaouda believes that the Chinese traders might now, however, be regretting their behavior after they suggested mediation in order to sort out their differences amicably.
“We don’t want them here any more. The only thing for them to do is to go back to China,” he said, surrounded by dozens of neighbors who nodded in agreement.
The residents had also signed a petition to the authorities calling for the Chinese to be asked to leave, he added.
The usually bustling area was deserted on Wednesday.
All the shops belonging to the Chinese traders were closed and none had appeared in public since the incidents, locals said.
“They are afraid of possible reprisals. On Monday evening young people from neighoring areas attacked four or five shops belonging to the Chinese,” said another man speaking on condition of anonymity.
The police had to intervene late in the evening, he said.
China’s embassy in Algiers on Wednesday played down the clashes as an isolated incident unrepresentative of normal relations.
“This isolated incident does not reflect the relations between Algerians and Chinese,” an embassy spokeswoman said, adding that China “had confidence in the Algerian police” to shed light on the violence.
Chinese traders have flooded the North African country, selling goods at cutthroat prices and sparking growing local resentment.
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