The Chinese embassy in Guinea on Monday condemned and dismissed rumor reports claiming that the Guinean government had arrested Chinese nationals.

The online reports said that the Chinese nationals in the West African country were arrested in retaliation to alleged discrimination against Africans in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.

The report claimed that the decision to arrest the Chinese nationals was taken by the Guinea government to ensure the safe passage of the Guinean nationals. The report in Global News Network suggested that the Chinese national will continue to be in detention till all Guinean nationals are safely returned.

A video was also shared online that claims to show the moment all the Chinese nationals were arrested and brought to a detention center. The video clip was shared online with captions that the Chinese national will face dire consequences if Africans are harmed in China.

The veracity of claims can not be verified independently.

“The Chinese diplomatic mission, as always, will make every effort to safeguard the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in Guinea,” read the embassy’s statement.

All parties should maintain solidarity and mutual trust, strengthen coordination and cooperation as the COVID-19 epidemic is spreading all over the world, the embassy added.