Zambia to release 31 Chinese workers

Zambia agreed on Monday to release 31 Chinese nationals it was detaining in the African country after Beijing's diplomatic efforts to help repatriate the individuals it claims were held through selective enforcement.

According to Red Star News, a Chinese online publication, Chinese embassy staffers said Zambia agreed to release the Chinese detainees after China's Ambassador to Zambia Yang Youming work-ed with Steven Kampyongo, the Zambian home affairs minister.

"Zambia agreed to release all the 31 Chinese nationals, and the Zambian government won't prosecute them. But all 31 have to leave Zambia today, with no exceptions," the report said.