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Two Weeks After the Coup, It’s Business as Usual For Gabon’s Chinese Community

by Eric Olander
Shelves are well-stocked at this Chinese supermarket in Gabon's capital Libreville. Image via Xinhua.

Other than a 6 p.m. curfew every night, daily life for most of the 3,000 Chinese expatriates in Gabon hasn’t changed much since the military overthrew the government of longtime dictator Ali Bongo on August 30.

A media worker for the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua toured the capital Libreville to visit Chinese restaurants, supermarkets and other establishments frequented by expats — all of which appear to be operating as per usual.

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