70 Chinese traders arrested by the Nigerian immigration office in a national crackdown on "illegal" activities by immigrants were released, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said at a routine press conference on May 24.

Nearly 100 Chinese were arrested in Kano and other cities in Nigeria on May 22.

Kano is home to the largest textile trade market in Nigeria and in West Africa. Hundreds of Chinese shops are running business in this market.

Emmanuel, director of immigration office in Kano, said these Chinese are like "scavengers" who were taking jobs away from Nigerian people. But at the same time he denied that this action was taken against Chinese, saying that Nigeria welcomes Chinese investments and supports legitimate trade but prohibits those who entered Nigerian businesses and undercut them.

Emmanuel said that they were directed to clear them from the market and this was going to be a continuous exercise. The people arrested would soon be deported.

As the bilateral trade increases steadily since 1990s, the personnel exchange becomes more and more frequent. At present about 20,000 Chinese nationals are living in Nigeria and the total number of Chinese living in Africa may hit 200,000.

In order to guarantee the employment of local people and protect its industry, Nigeria has carried out quota control on foreign employees. Nigeria also has put a ban on textile import with the purpose of protecting its national textile industry.

Chinese embassy has immediately started emergency mechanism. It lodged solemn representations to Nigeria, visited the arrested Chinese and urged Nigeria to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals.

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