China urged Russia Thursday to handle the case of the detention of Chinese businessmen and goods "fairly and reasonably".

About 150 Chinese businessmen and a large amount of their goods have been detained by Russia's Federal Migration Service in recent raids at the Cherkizovsky Market, in the east of the Russian capital of Moscow.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a routine press conference that after the accident happened, the Chinese Embassy in Russia and related consulates have talked with the Russian side.

He said he hopes the Russian side will protect these Chinese businessmen's legal rights and interests.

"We will continue to follow the case and maintain close communication with the Russian side to protect the legal rights and interests of Chinese businessmen in Russia."

(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2009)