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Phoebe Zhang

The Chinese embassy in Angola has issued a warning about a crackdown on illegal immigration in the African country, urging its citizens and companies to make sure they follow the correct visa procedures.
In a social media post on Wednesday, the embassy warned that Chinese citizens had been among those detained, fined or deported by the Angolan authorities.
“We have warned Chinese companies and citizens repeatedly to follow Angola’s laws, find jobs and operate businesses legally,” it said, warning people against trying to exploit a visa-waiver policy for tourists or getting a visa from one firm and then working for another.
It added those caught working illegally could face further penalties back in China, including restrictions on leaving the country in the future, while employers could face even harsher penalties.
The embassy said foreign nationals and investors were not guaranteed work visas and urged Chinese citizens to cooperate with local law enforcement. It said people should leave the country if they did not have the proper documents.
“The embassy will do its utmost within its authority to protect legitimate rights and interests and assist with justified needs,” it said.
It also warned against assuming that Angola was “filled with gold” after a series of posts appeared on Chinese social media about investment and work opportunities in the country. Some of these claimed foreigners did not need visas and could make high returns from small investments.
One viral video featured what it claimed was a giant pearl that was found in the country in 2017, which weighed over 30kg (66lbs) and was worth millions of US dollars.
The film added that Angola had the potential to be the richest country in Africa and was friendly to foreign investors.


Another video showed a gold mine in Angola, followed by clips of a Chinese investor holding a pile of gold bars in his hands and biting them. “Buying gold there is much cheaper than buying it in China,” one comment said.
But other internet users said it was unwise to travel to an unfamiliar country for work based on claims made online and questioned whether it would be easy to make money without good local contacts.
Last month, three Chinese nationals were rescued in Angola after carjackers held them up and demanded a ransom.
Two Vietnamese suspects were arrested after their families contacted local police, the Chinese media platform Red Star reported.


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Chinese nationals warned not to assume the country is ‘filled with gold’ after some were detained and deported for working illegally


Chinese nationals warned not to assume the country is ‘filled with gold’ after some were detained and deported for working illegally.


Angola

Chinese embassy in Angola warns citizens not to fall foul of immigration crackdown

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Chinese nationals warned not to assume the country is ‘filled with gold’ after some were detained and deported for working illegally

Chinese nationals warned not to assume the country is ‘filled with gold’ after some were detained and deported for working illegally