The Asian nation where the viral outbreak began has faced criticism for its alleged discriminatory treatment of African nationals during the Covid-19 crisis.
In a statement on Sunday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian responded to reports of anti-African racism in China in reaction to attempts by the Chinese authorities in Guangdong to continue to fight Covid-19.He pointed out that after the Ebola epidemics broke out in three West African countries in 2014, the Chinese government provided assistance “at the earliest time possible and fought side by side with the African countries and people”.
Zhao, however, downplayed the matter on Sunday: “Now faced with the Covid-19 pandemic, China and Africa are again tiding over difficulties hand in hand, and our friendship is again elevated. “Since the outbreak, the authorities in Guangdong attach high importance to the treatment of foreign patients, including African nationals. Specific plans and proper arrangements are made to protect their life and health to the best of our ability, thanks to which we were able to save the lives of some African patients in severe or critical conditions.
In their letter to Beijing, African ambassadors in Beijing had strongly protested the ongoing forceful testing, quarantine and maltreatment of Africans in China, particularly in Guangdong. Among the cases highlighted was an ejection Togolese, Nigerian, and Beninois nationals from their hotels in the middle of the night, allegedly only because they were Africans.
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