While not dismissing as untrue the recent allegations of maltreatment of African nationals in China as captured in several videos in which Chinese authorities are harassed Africans by locking them out of their homes and hotels thereby forcing them to sleep on the streets of Guangzhou, in Guangdong Province of China, the Chinese government has stated that “China and Africa are good friends, partners and brothers.”
In a statement by China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian, dated Monday, 13, 2020 and posted on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, the Chinese government said its friendship with Africa “is forged on the basis of joint efforts to seek national independence, liberation, economic development and better livelihood in the past decades,” adding that such time-tested friendship remains “a treasure for both Chinese and African people.”
The African Union’s Civil Society Group on Monday wrote a strongly worded letter requesting the AU Commission to not only demand for an apology from China but also asked for proper investigation.
While expressing similar historical sentiments as the Chinese spokesperson, AU’s Civil Society Group’s letter expressed dismay on the maltreatment of Africans which the letter described as inhuman and against all principles of dignity and common humanity that should ideally guide China-Africa relations.
“Singling out only Africans is a xenophobic and racist act contrary to the spirit of FOCAC 8,” the Civil Society Group asserted.
Although the Foreign Ministry’s statement failed to admit any infractions, it however provided what can be described as a detailed background to the incidents. Mr Lijian noted in the statement that: “Faced with COVID-19, an abrupt global public health crisis, all countries are taking containment measures to prevent it from further spreading.
“China has achieved remarkable progress at this stage thanks to our most comprehensive, rigorous and thorough measures, but we are still facing great risks of imported cases and domestic resurgence. Particularly, as the pandemic spreads all over the world, imported cases are causing mounting pressure.
“Now faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Africa are again tiding over difficulties hand in hand, and our friendship is again elevated. We will not forget the support from Africa during our most difficult times.
“While overcoming difficulties at home, we also give love and care to all African citizens in China, especially African students. As the situation is getting more severe in Africa, the Chinese government and people have urgently delivered batches of supplies to the continent.” Read the full statement here.
