REPORTS EMERGING from China alleging coronavirus related discrimination against African nationals have prompted a high level African Union meeting in a bid to avert a diplomatic crisis.

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.

As well as being left homeless a number of Africans in the city told 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.

FIRM MESSAGE: Kwesi Quartey, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission

A number of political leaders on the continent expressed their concern over the reports and the escalating row threatened to undermine diplomatic and trading relations that have been developed between China and Africa in recent years.

This week Kwesi Quartey, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission met with Amb. Liu Yuxi, the Chinese Ambassador to the African Union to discuss the issue.

‘Clearly unacceptable’

Quartey told Yuxi that given the close relations between China and Africa, the reported incidences were “clearly unacceptable”.

He said that “Africa values its relationship with China but not at any price”.

Responding to the concerns Yuxi reiterated the “immense value China places on its relationship with Africa and China’s commitment to protecting and developing this relationship”.

He registered the “regret and embarrassment that the incidents have caused China” and outlined a number of steps that the Chinese government had taken to restore calm and to protect the safety, and security of the African nationals living in the country.

Inflammatory messages

He said that Chinese people who had posted inflammatory messages on social media had been arrested and law enforcement personnel who had exerted excessive force had been reprimanded and cautioned to exercise restraint whilst discharging their duties.

Yuxi added that two hotels, paid for by the Chinese government, have been secured for African nationals who had been affected by the incidents.

Furthermore, “seized passports and personal belongings have been retrieved and handed over to their rightful owners” he added.

He also reiterated China’s determination to improve its relationship with the continent.