Treatment of Africans in southern China sparks diplomatic backlash by DavidKirton_
A staff member wearing a face mask sits inside an estate agency in Guangzhou's Sanyuanli area, as the spread of the novel coronavirus disease continues in the country, in Guangdong province, China April 13, 2020. Picture taken April 13, 2020. REUTERS/David Kirton
Several African ambassadors wrote to China’s foreign minister last week, calling for the “cessation of forceful testing, quarantine and other inhuman treatments meted out to Africans”. “The selective testing has set the Guangzhou locals into panic, thinking black people are carrying the virus,” he said. He declined to be identified.
The provincial foreign affairs office provided no immediate comment to Reuters about complaints from Africans and embassies that Africans had been unfairly targeted.China has stepped up its engagement with Africa in recent years, with state-owned companies building infrastructure and signing hundreds of deals across the continent.
“For a white person, you can’t rent around here now because of the virus, but you’ll be welcome again in a few months,” said one agent, referring to when the pandemic passes. She declined to give her name.A spokeswoman for McDonald’s in China apologised on Tuesday after staff at a Guangzhou branch forced black customers to leave.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Moviegoers in China Eager to Return to Cinemas, Survey SaysChinese online ticketing service Maoyan Entertainment found that moviegoers in the country are growing more and more eager to return to cinemas after nearly three months of coronavirus-forced closures. Details:
Read more »
China didn't warn public of likely pandemic for 6 key daysIn the six days after top Chinese officials secretly determined they likely were facing a pandemic from a new coronavirus, the city of Wuhan at the epicenter of the disease hosted a mass banquet...
Read more »
Search for a Covid-19 vaccine heats up in China and USInitial vaccine tests focus on safety, and researchers in both countries are trying out different doses of different types of shots. Second phase allows vaccines to be tested to look for signs that they protect against infection.
Read more »
McDonald's China apologizes for banning black people from a storeThe incident is the latest sign of growing anti-foreign sentiment in parts of China. The sign is 'not representative of our inclusive values,' McDonald's said in a statement.
Read more »
Stocks rise on China trade data, easing pandemic fearsWorld stocks gained on Tuesday after Chinese trade data came in better than expected and some countries tried to restart their economy by partly lifting restrictions aimed at containing the coronavirus outbreak.
Read more »