On November 1st, the WeChat official account of the Chinese Embassy in Russia published a reminder about the importance of not mining gold illegally in Russia.
Russia imposes strict national controls on the mining of gold and other minerals within its territory. It is a serious illegal act for foreign citizens to engage in illegal gold mining in Russia. Relevant regions in Russia have already introduced or are in the process of introducing policies prohibiting foreign citizens from engaging in gold mining, and they continue to intensify efforts to combat illegal labor or illegal mining activities. Chinese citizens have already been punished for this reason, including being deported, facing substantial fines, or even being sentenced to imprisonment.
The Chinese Embassy in Russia solemnly warns Chinese citizens, businesses, and institutions operating in Russia to strictly comply with local laws and regulations. They should be vigilant against scams related to illegal mining activities and must not take chances by engaging in or participating in such activities. Any business operations in Russia must be conducted through legitimate channels, by obtaining necessary licenses through legal means. No unauthorized operations are allowed, nor should the environment be damaged. Those who enter Russia illegally or abuse visa-free policies to work there must avoid exposing themselves to safety risks and financial losses. According to the provisions of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, Chinese citizens who engage in illegal mining activities abroad may still face criminal responsibility upon returning to their home country if the offenses are serious. Embassies and consulates abroad legally protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, businesses, and institutions abroad. However, consular assistance and protection does not apply to illegal activities, and the parties involved must bear the corresponding legal consequences on their own.
