There are a growing number of disconcerting reports of attacks against Africans and African-Americans in China during the ongoing pandemic, particularly in Guangzhou.
There have been multiple incidents of Chinese landlords and hotel managers evicting Africans over fears of the coronavirus, as a result of which some African nationals have even had to resort to sleeping on the streets. Moreover, they are being restricted from accessing public places, such as malls, restaurants, and hospitals. In fact, one McDonald’s outlet in Guangzhou put up a sign reading, “We’ve been informed that from now on black people are not allowed to enter the restaurant.”
The All African Association of Guangzhou called for an end to the “inhuman treatment, hatred, and outright discrimination of Africans”. Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya demanded talks with the Chinese ambassadors in their respective countries. Additionally, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, met with the Chinese Ambassador to the African Union, Liu Yuxi, to express the continent’s concern with the mistreatment of Africans in Chinese cities during the ongoing pandemic.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, said, “I regret and highly condemn this act. I have summoned the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Shi Ting Wang to register my disappointment and calk for his government to immediately address the situation and bring its officials to order.”
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, summoned the Chinese ambassador to express his “extreme concern”.
Kenya’s foreign ministry condemned the “unfair responses against foreigners, particularly of African origin” and has spoken with the Chinese embassy in Nairobi to remedy the situation.
A US Department of State official for Africa, Tibor Nagy, described the incidents as “appalling”, and called on Chinese authorities to “stop these attacks against Africans living and working in China”.
In response, the Chinese foreign ministry issued a statement stating, “All foreigners are treated equally. We reject differential treatment, and we have zero tolerance for discrimination.” It added, “Since the outbreak, the authorities in Guangdong attach high importance to the treatment of foreign patients, including African nationals.”
Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, who has previously accused the US of bioengineering the coronavirus and introducing it to China, said, “It is irresponsible and immoral for the U.S. to sow discord. Its attempt to drive a wedge between China and Africa will never succeed.”
Nevertheless, China did minimally acknowledge African countries’ concerns, with the country’s foreign ministry saying that it is in contact with Guangdong authorities to respond to the “African side’s reasonable concerns and legitimate appeals”. Within the same breath, however, it said that the new measures implemented will center around designating hotels for foreigners to “undergo medical observation”. However, this ignores and dismisses the fact that acts of racism have been perpetuated against African nationals who have tested negative for the coronavirus.
Given that Guangzhou is home to a large African community and is a hub for African traders buying and selling goods, it is vital for both parties to come to an amicable resolution.
Image Source: Heavy
Increasing Anti-Black Racist Attacks in China Prompt Anger From African Leaders
Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and the African Union all spoke with Chinese representatives.
April 15, 2020
