A DIPLOMATIC row is emerging after reports have emerged from China alleging coronavirus related discrimination against African nationals. 

Last week several stories were shared on social media of Africans being evicted from their homes in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou as fears of a new wave of imported coronavirus cases prompted anti-foreigner protests. 

Videos published on social media of Africans being harassed by Chinese police have prompted widespread anger in Africa. 

Media outlets in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and South Africa have given high profile coverage to the story. 

Diplomatic relations undermined

Anger over the reports is threatening to undermine diplomatic and trading relations that have been developed between China and Africa in recent years. 

China’s trade with the continent is estimated to be worth over $200 billion according to official figures. 

Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama tweeted that he had invited the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Zhou Pingjian to communicate his government’s “extreme concern at allegations of maltreatment of Nigerians in Guangzhou”.

Blessings Ramoba, President of Mining Forum of South Africa, tweeted that the pandemic had been devastating for the country and that, following the reports, China should cancel the debt South Africa owed to show remorse. 

Sierra Leone’s embassy in Beijing said in a statement last week that it had met with Chinese officials and expressed their “concern and condemnation of the disturbing and humiliating experiences our citizens have been subjected to”.

Ghana’s Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey summoned the Chinese ambassador to Ghana to discuss the allegations.

‘Ill treatment’

She said in a statement:  “I have been briefed on the inhumane treatment being meted out to Ghanaians and other African nationals in the People’s Republic of China with regards to COVID-19 outbreak. I regret and highly condemn this act of ill treatment and racial discrimination.”

During the coronavirus pandemic Chinese officials have emphasised their support for Africa.

And among those pledging support for the continent in its efforts to fight COVID-19 is Chinese billionaire Jack Ma who has donated millions of testing kits. 

The escalating row prompted Chinese Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian to issue a statement saying that provincial authorities would attach “great importance” to the concerns of some African countries and work to improve quarantine measures.

Random testing

As well as being left homeless a number of Africans in the city told CNN of being subject to random testing for Covid-19, and being quarantined for 14 days in their homes, despite not having symptoms of the disease or any contact with people who have been infected. 

Guangzhou has one of the largest African communities in China.

According to Xinhua, the official state-run press agency, approximately 320,000 Africans entered or left the city in 2017. 

Many say that discriminatory attitudes are not new. However there are concerns that fears over coronavirus have deepened racial tensions in the city.