China expresses serious concern over Salton Sary incident - embassy

Bishkek, Aug. 7, 2019 / Kabar /. The Chinese Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic issued a press release in connection with the incident at Solton-Sary field in Naryn region, where the Chinese company Zhong Ji Mining is engaged in mining.
On Aug. 5, hundreds of residents of Naryn region gathered at Solton-Sary field. They voiced demands to suspend the activities of the Chinese company in the gold deposit. Later, a conflict occurred between locals and employees of the Chinese company. As a result, dozens of Chinese citizens were injured, who were taken to the territorial hospital.
At present, the Chinese Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic is actively providing medical assistance to victims. The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Kyrgyz Republic, Du Dewen, has already visited the injured in hospitals.
"For many years, Chinese enterprises have been investing and doing business in Kyrgyzstan, making a significant contribution to improving the welfare of the local population and strengthening traditional friendship between the peoples of the two countries, which is highly appreciated by the government of Kyrgyzstan and various circles of the Kyrgyz society," the statement said.
The embassy noted that the Chinese government always requires Chinese enterprises working abroad to strictly abide by local laws, actively engage in social and charitable activities for the host country, and thereby achieve mutual benefit and development.
This incident caused huge economic and physical losses to the company and its employees. "The Chinese side expresses serious concern and made a sharp presentation to the Kyrgyz side," the embassy noted.
The embassy also appealed to the Kyrgyz side to provide maximum medical assistance to the injured citizens of China, conduct a thorough investigation of the incident, severely punish the perpetrators, and fairly and appropriately resolve the incident.
"The Chinese side firmly asks the government and relevant departments of the Kyrgyz Republic to take effective measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, and to avoid the recurrence of such incidents," the statement said.