Travel

Africans in China are Battling with Two Viruses – COVID-19 and Racism

With nearly 82,000 cases of infection, China has been battling the COVID-19 outbreak longer than any other country.

However, the recent recovery rate in the country is extremely high, and the lockdown order has been lifted in the city where it was discovered, Wuhan.

Though new cases of infection are being reported, the Chinese government is doing all it can to prevent a repeat of an all-out outbreak in the country. It placed restrictions on travelers coming into the country but one measure is hidden from the rest of the world. And that is racism.

Earlier this week, the BBC reported that African expatriates were being evicted from their homes and hotels where they had lodged to combat the spread of the virus. According to reports, there are also claims that blacks are the ones now importing Coronavirus into China. “Foreigners and particularly black people are currently not allowed to access public places, including malls, restaurants, and hospitals. They have informed landlords to evict them, chase them out of hotels, and make them go through all sorts because of Coronavirus.”

A witness, “We [Africans] are all out in the open now, under the rain with nowhere to go.”

This disturbing development was reported in the provinces of Guangdong and Fujian. The Guangdong province is particularly famous for being an attraction spot for African settlers – mostly Nigerians and Malians – looking to stay in China.

It is also a top destination for African traders and businessmen with no history of being entirely receptive to black people. Its black population dropped to 10,000 in 2017 from an estimated 100,000 people in 2012 due to strict immigration laws for Africans. In addition to this was the Chinese authorities’ treatment of African immigrants during the Ebola outbreak. This caused a lot of Africans to return to their home countries to avoid constant discrimination.

It is even more disheartening this period. During the Ebola outbreak, the argument was that the outbreak was more prevalent in Africa; for that reason, the suspicions towards African immigrants were justified. This time, however, the argument holds no water.

The virus originated from China itself; connecting it to Africans seems quite bewildering.

A black resident in China wrote, “We overheard lots of Chinese saying things like, ‘look at [them], they’ve probably got the virus. Lots of racism out here these days. Lots of people moving away from me as well. Scurrying to get out of my way.” A Chinese gym wrote the following on its front door: “Because of an overseas epidemic threshold, foreign friends will not be able to exercise in the fitness club.”

From screenshots, several black residents shared their experiences on the internet. A Chinese driver was set to pick up a black passenger through an e-hailing app. After finding the man’s identity online, the driver asked, “You are a foreigner? Danger.” When the resident threatened to expose the driver’s inappropriate behaviour, the driver got even bolder, saying “Don’t you know you have been in danger lately? You, foreigners, are a little poor.” A boutique sent a public message: “We are very sorry to our friends and members. Our neighbourhood community has decided not to allow foreigners into our compound. Asians available only.”

A common element to the screenshots is the caution about the danger. Many shops warn foreigners to be “careful” and “avoid danger”. A poster on a wall reads, “Now, foreigners are forbidden from entering the community, especially black people. Please owners should contact black people as soon as possible and tell them to leave the community. Thank you for your cooperation.”

The Chinese government is aware. In a notice to foreigners in Guangdong, the Chinese authorities wrote, “From April 5th to April 7th, according to relevant government departments, the streets will organise African tenants within their jurisdictions to carry out nucleic acid screening at designated sites (open space in front of the neighbourhood committee). Owners/residents are requested to know and inform their families.”

Despite African community leaders meeting with the government to find a solution, evictions continue. The Ghanaian Mission has told its citizens to refuse the tests if they have no history of recent travel.

The Nigerian authorities have also urged its citizens thrown out of their hotels in Guangzhou China, to report themselves to the Nigerian Consulate in the Asian country for proper documentation and further actions.

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