BEIJING, Mar. 28 -- Chinese citizens have been warned not to go to Kyrgyzstan after dozens of Chinese shops in the capital Bishkek were robbed or ransacked in two days of chaos and looting.

    Riots in the Central Asian state have left at least three people dead, but unconfirmed reports have put the number as high as six.

    The chinese Embassy in Bishkek said at least four Chinese citizens were injured in the riots and two are in serious condition.

    "The unrest has caused the worst economic damage for Chinese traders in Kyrgyzstan in more than 10 years of bilateral ties," the embassy said.

    The embassy is contacting Kyrgyz authorities to try to ensure the physical safety and property of Chinese citizens are protected. It said it will take all possible measures to protect the 10,000 Chinese in Bishkek and help the victims.

    "Due to ongoing concerns about the possibility of robbery targeting foreigners and their interests, the Chinese Embassy continues to warn all Chinese citizens of the danger in Kyrgyzstan and advise them to avoid any unnecessary confrontation with local people," it said.

    Chinese citizens who are not in Kyrgyzstan should defer all non-essential travel to the country, the embassy said.

    The guoying Trading Center, a locally renowned shopping mall owned by Chinese traders, was gutted on Thursday night, as a result of arson.

    Police and civilian volunteers appeared yesterday to have stemmed the looting that raged through Bishkek after demonstrators stormed the presidential headquarters on Thursday and sent President Askar Akayev fleeing to Russia.

    But disorder persisted in the political sphere, with two rival parliaments competing for power yesterday, fueling political uncertainty after the Akayev government collapsed in the face of the massive demonstrations.

    The country's law-enforcement coordinator, appointed by one parliament, demanded the other body be recognized as legitimate in an apparent split in the opposition.Some fear the split - and the competing parliaments - could fuel simmering tension and plunge the country into deeper turmoil.

    Both parliaments - the new one elected in the disputed vote that sparked massive discontent and the one that lost the election - met in separate chambers over the weekend, each claiming to represent the people.Felix kulov, a former opposition leader who was freed from jail on Thursday, warned lawmakers in the old parliament - led by his own allies - that they should step down.

    "The new parliament is legitimate and the old parliament's term has expired," said Kulov, now in charge of law enforcement agencies.He warned the former parliament that "if you get people out, I will take measures to arrest you."

    Kulov later apologized when Prosecutor-General Azim Beknazarov challenged him, saying: "These are the people who freed you, will you arrest them?""I am too tired. I apologize for that," Kulov said.

    The disputed elections led to the upsurge of protests that culminated in Thursday's storming of the presidential and government headquarters.Akayev took refuge in Russia while the former parliament reclaimed its expired mandate and quickly named a new interim leader - former opposition party leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev.The split among the new leadership may reflect the deep divisions between north and south Kyrgyzstan.

    Kulov is from the north, and most of the opposition leaders are from the south.Beknazarov, the prosecutor-general who is closely allied with Bakiyev, conceded that the new parliament - dominated by Akayev's allies - would now have to be officially recognized.

    (Source: Shanghai Daily)