Chinese-owned businesses have become new targets of demonstrators in the ongoing riots in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The message, "Congolese, please", is seen posted on one window of a Chinese-owned establishment, hoping it would spare the store from attacks.  Some 50 Chinese-owned shops were looted in the populated Kinshasa neighborhoods of Ngaba and Kalamu. 

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Other stores displayed the message "Ya bino moko", which meant "it belongs to you, too" in their local language.  Chinese-owned stores have been a target of anti-government demonstrators, who broke doors, shattered windows and wiped shelves clean.

"We've got a printing shop and spare parts store here, [but] nothing was touched besides the Chinese store," said a 37-year-old businessman who owns dozens of shops in the area.

Some Kinshasa businessmen openly resent the presence of their Chinese rivals.

"They sell everything, [and] we're no longer doing any business because of them," complained one Kinshasa telephone card vendor. He hoped, the spate of looting would serve as a "lesson" to his Chinese rivals.

Protesters are calling on President Joseph Kabila to step down when his term expires next year.  The demonstrations primarily opposed changes in the constitution that will extend Mr. Kabila's term beyond 2016. Some observers said the rioters turned their focus on Chinese businessmen, citing government's efforts to boost economic ties with China.

Kinshasa and Beijing sealed in 2007 what is called "the contract of the century", which gave Chinese companies the right to operate many mineral-rich DRC mines.  In return, China will help develop the country's road system and other infrastructure.  Chinese manufacturer CNR Beijing February 7^th, supplied 18 diesel-electric locomotives to the DRC.

Human rights groups claim 40 people have died in deadly clashes over the week.  The government puts the death toll at 12.

Human Rights Watch said government forces have used excessive force to counter protests and even tried to remove evidence.

The group had confirmed 36 deaths from the violent clashes between police and protesters, while 4 were killed in the eastern city of Goma. 

A Chinese diplomat who requested anonymity stressed that the attacks against Chinese businesses by rioters were isolated cases.  The embassy had not issued any security instructions to its citizens, which also meant there remains no "plot against Chinese citizens in DRC.

TagsCongo, riots