Chinese nationals facing food shortages

Chinese citizens in Sudan were facing the risk of food shortages as fighting entered a fourth day, according to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post. 

“The war happened completely without a sign on Saturday morning. It happened suddenly, so we didn’t prepare anything in our home,” an employee at a Chinese company told the newspaper. 

“We didn’t stock up on food, and my family and I only have a few days’ worth of groceries.”

Beijing's embassy was quoted in Chinese media saying it would collect information on citizens and monitor the situation, before deciding on whether to carry out an evacuation. 

“The Chinese embassy… urgently reminds Chinese citizens and Chinese institutions in Sudan to stay on high alert, strictly avoid going out and strengthen security precautions,” it said in a statement on Monday.

“[Citizens] should stay away from street-level rooms or windows to avoid being accidentally injured by stray bullets.”

More than 700 Chinese nationals reportedly live in Sudan, including overseas students and employees at private companies.

According to China's ministry of commerce, 130 Chinese companies were investing and operating in Sudan. 

Forty-two Chinese medical team members have been deployed to two Chinese-assisted hospitals in Sudan, a member of the team told state broadcaster CGTN.