Guangzhou hosts largest African community in Asia: report

(ECNS) -- The number of African immigrants in Guangzhou has reached 200,000 to form the largest such community in Asia, the Southern Metropolitan Daily revealed, citing a research report.

The report, released by Guangzhou Development Academy at the Guangzhou University on Thursday, said the number of African immigrants in Guangzhou had reached 200,000, but it didn't indicate a source.

It says that most Africans in the city were illegal residents, which poses a security risk.

The report also gave suggestions on how to deal with this problem, including the establishment of information-sharing platforms for foreigners, alongside a crackdown on underground agents who provide fake employment certificates.

Altogether 210 foreigners were detained on criminal charges in 2008 during the city's crackdown on illegal immigrants, specifically those falling under the much-publicized "three illegals" category, referring to entry, residence, and employment, and with Africans making up a large percentage of those accused.

In 2012, the local police arrested 300 Africans involved in drug trafficking.

A total of 593,832 foreigners are currently living on the Chinese mainland, with Guangdong province hosting the largest number at 316,138, according to data from the sixth national census released by the National Bureau of Statistics.