ISTANBUL

Beijing’s embassy in the Central African Republic has warned Chinese nationals against working in high-risk industries such as gold mining, saying that they could become "mine slaves."

The embassy said in a Thursday statement that Chinese citizens involved in gold mining in the African country in recent years "have encountered security incidents or faced significant security risks."

While some suffered financial losses due to fines or failed investments, others faced physical threats, it said, stating that some nationals' documents were confiscated, turning them into "mine slaves."

"Some were attacked and killed by anti-government armed groups, others were caught in conflicts between different forces and countries, and some died from fatal diseases such as malignant malaria," the statement said.

It also warned that some were maimed or killed in staged "car crashes" or "hangings" stemming from disputes with other shareholders.

"Do not travel to red zones outside the Central African Republic for work, and avoid high-risk industries such as gold mining," the embassy said, urging those already involved to stop immediately, leave the area, and report to the embassy.