Photo: screenshot of Chinese Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)'s Wechat account

The Chinese Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held a video conference on Thursday local time on safety in the artisanal mining sector, sternly reminding Chinese companies and nationals in the country to refrain from involvement in illegal mining activities, according to a statement released on the embassy's WeChat account on Saturday.

The move is to further raise safety awareness among Chinese-funded enterprises and overseas Chinese in the DRC and better safeguard the personal security of Chinese nationals there, per the statement.

More than 30 representatives from Chinese community groups, business associations and enterprises in the country attended the meeting. Entrusted by Chinese Ambassador to the DRC Zhao Bin, Counsellor Luo Gang briefed participants on the current security situation in the DRC's artisanal mining sector and the potential risks facing Chinese companies and workers, urging Chinese enterprises and nationals to strictly abide by local laws, refrain from illegal mining activities, strengthen mutual support and avoid cut-throat competition, per the statement.

It also required Chinese enterprises, business associations and individuals in the country to closely monitor the security situation and enhance risk-prevention capabilities. Participants thanked the embassy for the briefing and pledged to strictly comply with laws and regulations and refrain from involvement in illegal mining activities.

The video meeting comes amid the United Nations (UN)' welcome of progress in peace talks between the DRC government and the anti-government M23 movement held in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday local time, after the two sides signed a document on February 2 defining the scope of ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanisms under a follow-up process to the Doha Framework for the Peace Agreement, signaling a positive step toward easing tensions in eastern DRC, according to the Qatar News Agency.

The official Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General reiterated the call for a cessation of hostilities at a press conference, explaining that the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is explicitly authorized to support the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, in accordance with the Security Council resolution 2808, according to the Qatar News Agency.

Global Times