African students are facing discrimination in China amid fears of second wave coronavirus in China. The cases of discrimination have led to African governments being concerned about the safety of their citizens in the country and lodging complaints with the Chinese government.
African nationals living in China have faced increased discrimination in the past few days, where they have been evicted from their residences, forced to live on the streets as no hotels also deny them of service. Chinese authorities have also stepped up their efforts in testing foreigners for coronavirus, with African Students and expatriates being the target for these tests.
African students discrimination prompts governments to act
This has prompted African embassies to swiftly act, writing to the Chinese Foreign Ministry with a request for him to address the plight of African Students and business people. China is trying to prevent a resurgence of the coronavirus that originated from Wuhan in 2019.
Guangzhou, which has only recorded 114 cases, 16 of which are people from African descent has been the epicenter of these discriminations. The city has locked Africans out of their houses, arrested them and refused them services in hotels. Reports also showed that Africans were sleeping on the streets due to discrimination with calls about their deportation growing louder in the city.
Reports about mass testing in universities targeting only African students have also circulated with pictures of memos directing the students to comply with the authorities. Students who have managed to keep their residences have also been advised not to go outside by authorities. This is in spite of them having not traveled outside the country and having tested negative for the coronavirus.
Embassies reactions
African embassies such as Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria have expressed their disappointment with the way Africans are being treated in China. They have called for the Chinese government to address the issue and action be taken to ensure the safety of the Africans living in China.
Nigerian legislator Akinola Alabi also raised the issue with the Chinese ambassador in the country. The conversation, which was posted on twitter, highlighted his disappointment with the Chinese government and the way it had handled Nigerians living in the country.
The Chinese government, however, has defended itself, claiming it treats everyone equally. They also distanced themselves from vile online posts that were racist and calling for Africans to be deported from the country. They also said they would look into the claims of discrimination lodged and would take action.
Featured image by Pixabay
