Chinese hit by France strikes

BEIJING - France's oil shortages caused by the ongoing nationwide strikes against pension reforms are affecting Chinese workers doing business in the country, according to the head of French-Chinese Business Association (AFCC).

"We are not severely affected by the strikes themselves - as there are few robbery cases near where the Chinese businesses are located - but since transport has been made very difficult by the oil shortages, we are receiving much fewer customers these days," Tang Xiaohua, AFCC's honorary president was quoted as saying by the Beijing Youth Daily.

"Everyone now fears they don't have enough petrol to drive their car to - and then back from - our market so they decide to delay their purchases," said a Chinese businessman surnamed Xu, who works at France's biggest Chinese market in Aubervilliers, a north Paris suburb. About 1,000 Chinese businesses run in the hub and receive clients.