African Nations Rap China For ‘Racism And Discrimination’ Against Their Citizens In Guangzhou 

African Nations Rap China For ‘Racism And Discrimination’ Against Their Citizens In Guangzhou 

by Swarajya Staff - Monday, April 13, 2020 06:26 PM IST
African Nations Rap China For ‘Racism And Discrimination’ Against Their Citizens In Guangzhou Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio (L) with Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) 
Snapshot
  • African students and expatriates in Guangzhou were last week subject to forced coronavirus testing and arbitrary 14-day self-quarantine.

    Reports say police ordered bars and restaurants to not serve clients who appear to be of African origin.

China is facing a confrontation from African officials over the racist mistreatment of Africans in Guangzhou — the Chinese city. As per the United States, African-Americans, too, have been the target of racist mistreatment amidst the fears of Covid-19.

In the commercial hub of Guangzhou, some Africans have been reported to have been discriminated against and evicted in fear of the coronavirus spread.

CNN reported that China is facing a diplomatic crisis. It says: African students and expatriates in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou were last week subject to forced coronavirus testing and arbitrary 14-day self-quarantine, regardless of recent travel history, amid heightened fears of imported infections.

As per this report, a United States Embassy security alert said that ‘police ordered bars and restaurants to not serve clients who appear to be of African origin.’ In addition to that, local officials have launched mandatory testing and self quarantine for ‘anyone with African contacts,’

The statement from the US is titled: ‘Discrimination against African-Americans in Guangzhou’.

African diplomats in Beijing stated their concerns and condemnation of the ‘disturbing and humiliating experiences’ their citizens have been subjected to, in their meeting with the Chinese foreign ministry officials. The Embassy of Sierra Leone in Beijing said in a statement that 14 citizens had been put into compulsory 14-day quarantine.

China is witnessing an increase in cases related to the Coronavirus causing Covid-19. The increase is being attributed to people who are arriving in China from overseas.

Amidst the fear, the police and public health bureau in Guangzhou have told reporters that officials have responded to some rumours. According to the police and public health bureau, as the report states, the rumours are that 300,000 black people in Guangzhou were setting off a second epidemic. This caused panic.

This article says: Across African capitals, Chinese ambassadors are being hauled over by foreign ministries to explain horrid scenes that have gone viral on social media platforms of African migrants being evicted from apartments and refused entry into hotels.

Videos have emerged of such incidents happening in China. The videos have enraged governments and citizens back home and these incidents have sparked a diplomatic race row with the African Union.

Pressure is on China over the reported mistreatment of migrants from the African nations and of African-American migrants. As per the QZ article, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda are among those that have asked for explanations from the Chinese government.

Get Swarajya in your inbox everyday. Subscribe here.

An Appeal...

Dear Reader,

As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.

Our business model is you and your subscription. And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.

We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.

Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.

Become A Patron
Become A Subscriber
Comments ↓
Get Swarajya in your inbox everyday. Subscribe here.
Advertisement

Latest Articles

    Artboard 4Created with Sketch.