The two Chinese nationals have been charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting randomly at the Zambian miners after they protested poor working conditions at their Chinese-run mine on Friday.

The incident has raised a political storm, with opposition leader Michael Sata accusing the Chinese in the country of being untouchable because they are funding the ruling party ahead of next year's elections.

However, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said the managers of the private company had "mistakenly hurt several local workers", while promising to cooperate with Zambia on the case.

"We will proceed from the overall interests of our friendly relations with Zambia, continue our close cooperation and properly handle the aftermath according to law," Ma said when asked for comment at a news briefing.

The injured workers at the Chinese-run Collum Coal Mine were hospitalised after the incident. The two Chinese suspects will appear in court soon, a Zambian government official told AFP.

Investment from China has been on the rise in Zambia, with several copper and coal mines bought by Chinese firms.

Africa has seen a wave of Chinese investment, despite criticism in the West that Beijing was blatantly ignoring human rights abuses, and environment and corruption issues in some countries as it lunges for the continent's resources.

China pumped 9.3 billion dollars into Africa by the end of 2009, a government report said last week, and Chinese officials have vowed the push would continue.

In particular, China has been criticised by the West over its support for regimes such as Sudan and Zimbabwe, which have been accused of human rights abuses, but many African leaders praise Beijing for not preaching to them on rights.

Ma said China's embassy in Lusaka had asked the Chinese-run company to "properly handle the dispute."

earlier related report
Niger intelligence chief dismissed
Niamey (AFP) Oct 18, 2010 - Niger's intelligence chief was dismissed Monday, days after four senior members of the ruling junta were arrested for an alleged "attempt to destabilise the regime", an official source said.

Seini Chekaraou headed the country's counter-espionage agency and is reportedly close to Colonel Abdoulaye Badie, the former number two in Niger's junta, who was arrested on Friday, according to those close to junta chief General Salou Djibo.

The junta took power in a February 18 coup which ousted President Mamadou Tandja after a decade in power.

Djibo has named lieutenant-colonel Yaye Hamadou to replace Chekaraou, according to a decree read on public radio.

Badie and three others were arrested over an alleged plot that aimed to delay the pledged transition to civilian rule. The transition process is due to kick off on October 31 with a constitutional referendum followed by a presidential election on January 31.

Rumours of another coup have swirled in Niamey over the past few weeks. For several days, the military presence in the capital and its suburbs has been stepped up with larger patrols, particularly at night.

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