Chinese Migrants Clash with Algerians

by candice.tsuei | August 4, 2009 at 02:17 pm

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About 100 local Algerian residents and Chinese migrant workers clashed in the eastern district of Bab Ezzouar in Algiers, an area locally known as "Chinatown," on Monday.

High unemployment has been a serious issue among young Algerians - 7 out of 10 adults under 30 are unemployed. This accident reflects the local workers' anger towards the Chinese migrant workers, who are willing to accept a lower wage.

A shopkeeper told Reuters that the fight broke out after a disagreement with a Chinese migrant worker. "I told him not to park his car in front of my shop, but he insulted me," 31-year-old Abdelkrim Salouda said. "I punched him, I thought it was over, but after 30 minutes he came back with at least 50 Chinese to take revenge. It is a miracle I am still alive."

Witnesses of the accident said that about 60 Algerian residents also joined the fight.

The two groups fought with knives and bludgeons. According to a diplomat at the Chinese embassy in Algiers, 10 Chinese were injured and five Chinese-owned shops were looted in the fight. He also said that he hoped the Algerian authorities would look into the accident, and that it would not affect the relations between China and Algiers.