African ex-pats in China are not having the easiest time in Guangzhou after numerous racist incidents occurring. The most recent event is that of an African man being denied entry into a Mcdonald’s in the city of Guangzhou, Guangdong province.
As he entered the store a staff member handed him a notice reading “We’ve been informed that from now on black people are not allowed to enter the restaurant. For the sake of your health consciously notify the local police for medical isolation, please understand the inconvenience caused. police TEL:110”
Since the incident occurred the Mcdonald’s restaurant closed for half a day to conduct training programs on “diversity and inclusion”
Other incidences occurring in involved Africans being kicked out of their Guangzhou apartments and hotel rooms because of fears of them spreading COVID-19. Chinese authorities have repeatedly announced that there is no systemic discrimination at work in the city.
However, these assurances haven’t yet satisfied the growing outrage back in Africa where Chinese diplomats have been called in to offer explanations to government officials.
On Sunday, China Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian again attempted to quell the anger, declaring that Chinese people and African people are “partners and brothers through thick and thin” and that China-Africa friendship is deeply-rooted and “unbreakable.”
