( CNN ) -- Dozens of Chinese criminal suspects living in Angola were sent back to Beijing on a chartered flight over the weekend , state media reported . The 37 suspects were allegedly involved in a variety of crimes , such as kidnapping , human trafficking and forcing women into prostitution , according to the Xinhua news agency . Authorities rescued 14 Chinese victims , who were sent from the capital of Luanda , on the same flight Saturday , Xinhua said . The suspects lured women to Angola with promises of jobs and forced them to engage in prostitution , Chinese police said . Chinese officials worked with authorities in the African nation and dismantled 12 Chinese criminal gangs , the report said . It was the largest crackdown on crimes targeting Chinese nationals in Africa , officials said . `` The joint law enforcement action opened a new chapter in the police cooperation between China and Africa , and will safeguard the safety and other legitimate rights of Chinese citizens and institutions in Angola , '' said Liu Ancheng , director of criminal investigation in China . Angola , which is rich in resources , is a major trading partner with China . Driven by their appetite for natural resources , trade opportunities and political alliances , countries such as China and India are moving from the sidelines to the center stage in Africa . China overtook the United States as Africa 's biggest trade partner in 2009 . While Western countries are still important players in Africa 's energy sector , the deepening engagement of China in Africa 's infrastructure , mineral sector and telecommunications is creating `` deep nervousness '' in the West , said David Shinn , the former U.S. ambassador to Burkina Faso and Ethiopia .
The Chinese suspects were allegedly involved in a number of crimes , including kidnapping . They rescued 14 Chinese victims , who were sent home on the same day . They allegedly lured women to Pakistan with promises of jobs .