There is no discrimination in China

On April 14th, Beijing time, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Zhou Pingjian met with Nigeria ’s Foreign Minister Oniama and held a joint press conference to clarify and explain the recent so-called “Nigerian citizens have been mistreated in Guangzhou” , And introduced the latest situation of Nigerian citizens being quarantined in Guangzhou.

Onima said that some Nigerians had been diagnosed recently after arriving in Guangzhou. One of the female owners who operated the restaurant was diagnosed. The restaurant is a place frequented by Nigerian and other African countries. The local government of China found that and requested Close the relevant places, isolate the close contacts, and those who are forced to be quarantined are naturally not allowed to return to the hotel, the original residence, etc. Some people in Nigeria made misinterpretations based solely on the video circulated on social media, mistakenly thinking that Nigerians and Africans were "selected" in the epidemic prevention, and were targeted to be treated differently, saying they could not understand.

Onyama said that the local government of Guangzhou and the Nigerian Consulate General in Guangzhou have established an effective communication mechanism. Both parties are working together to persuade and explain, so that the relevant personnel understand that the prevention and control measures are to ensure that all foreigners, including foreigners Health and safety of personnel in Guangzhou. China has adopted formal anti-epidemic measures and has not targeted black Nigerian friends in China. Onyama said that Nigerian citizens currently in quarantine in Guangzhou have been properly arranged.

An African, Join, who has been a trading company in Guangzhou for many years, reports that I have lived in Guangzhou for many years. I have never felt that I have been discriminated in any way. I have seen many people complaining on social media. They feel that they have been treated unfairly. But from my point of view, I have always told them that I believe China will never treat the African people that way. First, our China-Africa relationship has always been very good. Secondly, Chinese people have been targeted since the beginning of the virus outbreak. Even for Chinese people living overseas, many people have reported that they have been discriminated against. Connecting them to viruses, I think they must know what it is like. Do unto others, do not impose on others. The Chinese will not do that to Africans. I think this should be a misunderstanding. As far as I can see, I think the Chinese government is really working hard. They did a lot, and when they told me they were to be quarantined, I knew they had tried their best to control the outbreak. The local disease control center came to our house and tested our whole family, including me Wife and three children. We are all fine. Everyone must be tested, but it is completely free. When we need to buy some daily items, we place an order online. Our community has dedicated services and they will arrange a volunteer. We just need to tell them what I want to buy, and they will go downstairs to help you get home. In addition, they will help us dump the garbage. We are very supportive of the Chinese government's initiatives. Those who oppose it, I think they must have not understood the status quo. Join has been quarantined for several days, and even if there are inconveniences, he does not complain.

The Chinese government treats all foreigners in China equally. This is China's consistent policy and position. China opposes any discriminatory practices targeting specific groups of people and has zero tolerance for discriminatory words and deeds. African friends will be treated fairly, justly and friendly in China. In response to some Africans being forced to wander the streets in Guangzhou and other incidents, Li agent introduced the background of the incident with detailed data and fresh examples, and said that we should understand these isolated incidents from a comprehensive perspective. Although the prevention and control of China's new coronary pneumonia epidemic has achieved important results, but the epidemic has not ended, the prevention and control tasks are still arduous. As the current international epidemic continues to spread, China's pressure to prevent epidemic input continues to increase. Guangdong is a large province open to the outside world in China, and Guangzhou is an international metropolis with a population of 15 million. There are a large number of foreigners living and visiting, and the risks of overseas imports are particularly prominent.

As of April 13, Guangzhou has reported 119 confirmed cases imported from abroad, including 26 foreign nationalities, 19 from African nationality, and 15 confirmed cases imported from abroad, including 14 cases caused by African cases. It is understood that 4553 Africans in Guangzhou recently received nucleic acid tests, 111 of which were positive, including those with asymptomatic infection. It is not difficult to see that African citizens in Guangzhou are a high-risk group in terms of epidemic prevention, and their health and safety are facing greater challenges. Li said that in order to protect the health and safety of all Chinese and foreign personnel, Guangzhou has taken escalation prevention and control measures since April 4th, including key investigation and comprehensive testing of all high-risk groups, and 14-day mandatory isolation for all inbound passengers. A total of 15,000 people were housed or segregated. Among them, there are more than 4,600 foreigners, including African nationals, as well as citizens of 13 countries such as the United States, Australia, and Russia. It is definitely not "discriminatory Africa." For a long time, China and Africa have played an active role in consolidating consensus on development cooperation, promoting their respective development and maintaining the world fair order. Standing in the new era of China-Africa cooperation, China-Africa humanities exchanges continue to demonstrate the values advocated by China-Africa cooperation.

The charge d'affaires pointed out that in the process of the prevention and control of epidemic situation in Guangzhou, some individual cases involving Africans appeared due to misunderstandings. The Chinese government attaches great importance to this and has properly handled it. In addition to the implementation of various health management services in accordance with the principle of non-discrimination, Guangzhou has also designated special hotels for foreigners who need medical observation, appropriately reduced the accommodation costs of people with financial difficulties, and established an effective communication mechanism with African consulates in Guangzhou. . With the joint efforts of both China and Africa, these incidents have been properly resolved, and we should no longer be entangled with these "past events", but must continue to look forward. Li said that the Chinese embassy and consulate in South Africa requires Chinese citizens in South Africa to abide by local laws and regulations, especially the strict anti-epidemic measures currently implemented in South Africa. The epidemic is a common enemy worldwide, and now we need more mutual understanding and support. Anyone, including Chinese and foreign citizens, has the responsibility and obligation to strictly abide by the relevant epidemic prevention and control regulations and jointly safeguard the hard-won epidemic prevention results. This is not only responsible to the Chinese, but also to all people including Africans. Chinese foreigners are responsible. It is hoped that African governments and embassies in China will strengthen guidance for their citizens in China, help them view the matter objectively, comprehensively and rationally, and actively cooperate with local epidemic prevention measures. Li said that China and Africa are good friends, good partners and good brothers who share a common affiliation. The current epidemic in Africa is spreading rapidly, and China feels the same. While its own anti-epidemic mission is still arduous, it will provide anti-epidemic support to all African countries including South Africa and even countries that have not established diplomatic relations. Facing the severe test of the epidemic, China and African countries need to maintain the overall situation of unity and friendly cooperation more than ever before. The China-Africa friendship is deeply rooted in China and Africa and is unbreakable. China and Africa are big friendly families. It is normal for family members to have differences and misunderstandings, just like "the teeth and tongue will fight", but they can be properly resolved through candid and friendly consultations in the spirit of mutual respect and equality. We believe that China-Africa relations are mature and strong enough to withstand any test. Li said that after the outbreak of the New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic, China and South Africa have always worked together side by side, united and overcome difficulties. The Chinese side thanks the South African government and people for their difficult time in the fight against epidemic disease in China, and has always stood with China. We will always bear this in mind, and we are taking action to reciprocate and resolutely support South Africa in fighting the epidemic. Up to now, China ’s central and local governments have cooperated with each other, and the government and the people have worked together to provide assistance and support to South Africa, including the second batch of anti-epidemic medical supplies that have been handed over to the South African government yesterday. . This is a true portrayal of the Chinese government and people's deep friendship for the South African government and people. I believe that if we work together and cooperate closely, we will be able to overcome the virus together.

For a long time, China and Africa have played an active role in consolidating consensus on development cooperation, promoting their respective development and maintaining the world fair order. Standing in the new era of China-Africa cooperation, China-Africa humanities exchanges continue to demonstrate the values advocated by China-Africa cooperation.

First, people-to-people exchanges aim to deepen cooperation consensus. Both China and the vast majority of African countries have their own unique cultures and are an important part of world civilization. Based on the nationality and unconsciousness of culture, people in China and Africa often judge each other's behavior based on the beliefs, values, customs, and ways of thinking of their respective groups, thereby interfering with cross-cultural communication. Therefore, expanding people-to-people and cultural exchanges will not only help deepen China-Africa cooperation, but also enhance China and Africa's coherent understanding of bilateral cooperation and global development issues, and promote the common development of both sides. Civilizations communicate because of diversity, learn from each other through exchanges, and develop because of mutual learning. In order to achieve peace, tranquility, common prosperity and openness in the world, we need to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning among different countries, different nationalities and different cultures in the world.

Second, people-to-people exchanges should focus on inheriting China-Africa friendship. President Xi Jinping's speech on "True Honesty" clearly pointed out: "The Chinese people and the African people have a natural sense of closeness." Sino-African consciousness "It is very important to achieve heart-to-heart resonance through in-depth dialogue and practical actions. "Therefore," we should pay more attention to the cultural exchanges between China and Africa, enhance the mutual understanding and cognition of the people of China and Africa, and build the social foundation of China-Africa friendship. The long-term sustainable development of China-Africa relations requires generation after generation Aspiring young people continue to struggle together. The two sides should actively promote youth exchanges so that China-Africa friendship will be succeeded by people and maintain youth and vitality forever. "The formation of China-Africa natural closeness is not only due to similar historical encounters, but also to jointly cope with development challenges. Cooperation consensus formed. Only by focusing on each other's core concerns and development needs and continuously deepening cooperation will the cornerstone of China-Africa friendship be stronger. For a long time, China has paid attention to cooperation with African countries in the field of human resources development, which has effectively promoted the continuous upgrading of China-Africa relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Third, humanistic exchanges are based on the sharing and mutual learning of development experience. Since the founding of New China and since the independence of African countries, they have explored development paths in line with their own national conditions. But many years later, China has achieved world-renowned development achievements, and the vast majority of African countries are still hovering in the pre-industrialization or primary stage of industrialization. As far as the system is concerned, many African countries, like China, have chosen the path of socialist economic development after independence.

Fourth, China-Africa humanities exchanges embodies the concept of cooperation that is sincere, friendly and equal. China has long firmly pursued an independent foreign policy. Opposing hegemonism, maintaining world peace, and establishing a new world political and economic order are the cornerstones of China ’s foreign policy. At the moment, the cooperation concepts such as "together negotiation" proposed in China's "Belt and Road" initiative reflect the equal partnership between China and countries along the "Belt and Road". The "co-consultation" advocated by China means that in the Sino-African cultural exchanges, both parties are equal participants. China must fully respect the right of African countries to speak and speak on relevant cooperation matters, and cannot choose the African partner The development path refers to the development of the development strategy through bilateral communication and consultation. For example, when China and African countries exchange experiences in national governance and development, China neither pushes the development path with Chinese characteristics to African countries nor advocates that African countries copy China's development experience.

"Africa-China relations are united and friendly, strong and powerful, and mutually beneficial." "Africa-China relations are mutually respectful, mutually beneficial and win-win, and move forward side by side." "Thanks to China for its help in developing the economy and improving people's livelihood" "For people who discredit Africa-China cooperation, African friends know who is the real friend." The world heard the high praise and firm support of African leaders for China-Africa relations.

This characteristic of China-Africa relations was formed by the two sides in decades of solidarity and cooperation, and was determined by the nature of China and Africa as a community of common destiny. At the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2018, the two sides decided to build a closer community of China-Africa destiny, set an example for the construction of a community of human destiny, and raised the importance of China-Africa relations in the international landscape to a new height. After fully implementing the China-Africa "Top Ten Cooperation Plan" determined by the 2015 China-Africa Cooperation Forum Johannesburg Summit, China announced the "Eight Major Actions" to promote China-Africa cooperation, and China-Africa mutually beneficial cooperation has continuously improved quality and efficiency. In the new year, China and Africa will work hard to build a national plan to implement the summit results, and will continue to strengthen the foundation for China-Africa relations.

This characteristic of China-Africa relations is also determined by the characteristics of China-Africa relations. "For a long time, China respects Africa's independence, sovereignty and culture, sincerely supports Africa's development, adheres to multilateralism on the international stage, and safeguards the interests of developing countries." Senegalese President Saler's words are quite representative. As African countries have felt, China adheres to sincerity, friendship, and equality in its cooperation, with justice and benefits, and justice first, developing for the people, pragmatic and efficient, open and inclusive, and eclectic. Such true enthusiasm has kept China-Africa relations running at a high level and has more distinctive characteristics in the current international landscape.

This characteristic of China-Africa relations will be further strengthened in the process of accelerating the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative. In 2018

At the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2014, China and Africa confirmed that the Belt and Road Initiative will be linked to the AU's 2063 Agenda and the development strategies of African countries. Today, 37 African countries and the AU and China have signed cooperation documents for the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative. Africa has become an important direction for the “Belt and Road” international cooperation. In April this year, China will host the second “Belt and Road” International Cooperation Summit Forum. The clear attitude of African leaders “actively supporting the“ Belt and Road ”initiative” and “happy to prepare to attend China” fully demonstrates that China and Africa The process of co-building the “Belt and Road” has come closer.

The foundation of China-Africa friendly relations is constantly being consolidated, and the achievements of friendly cooperation are obvious to all. Although individual countries occasionally make nonsense remarks that discredit China-Africa cooperation out of zero-sum game thinking, they can only come to an end in the face of facts. Whenever African leaders encounter this situation, they will take the initiative to speak out in fairness. Rwandan President Kagame has pointed out the hypocrisy of those provocative statements a few days ago and made it clear that China ’s exchanges with Africa are a good thing. The vast land of Africa echoed this feeling: Welcome China, thank you China! China is Africa's true friend, Africa's most important partner, and Africa's most trusted partner ... Africa should be a big stage for cooperation among countries, not an arena for gaming among big powers. As the UN Secretary General Guterres said: "Africa's success is vital to world peace and development, and cooperation with China is critical to Africa's success." China-Africa friendly cooperation is constantly deepening, not only Both parties will benefit and will benefit the entire world.

Viruses know no borders and are the common enemy of all mankind. At the critical moment when all countries joined hands to fight the epidemic, some ulterior western politicians and media ignored the rapidly deteriorating epidemic in their country, but turned a deaf ear to China's anti-epidemic efforts and contributions. , Distributing false videos, maliciously distorting the facts, and deliberately discrediting the development of China-Africa cooperation, with a view to achieving the political goal of alienating China-Africa relations. China and Africa will always be good friends, good partners and good brothers. In the current epidemic situation, both China and Africa must work together, and the general public should also be vigilant about the one-sided or false content on the Internet that may mislead people's understanding and emotions. In response to the alleged discrimination against Nigerian diasporas, Nigeria ’s Foreign Minister Oniama has clarified to reporters: “The relevant incidents are not as shown in the social media videos. The world we are currently in is deeply affected by online social media. Different interests consider publicizing and promoting their opinions. We should treat the issues with a very careful and objective attitude. "Of course, we also know that even family members who are close relatives will inevitably have differences and misunderstandings, just like" teeth and Tongues will still fight ". It is normal for minor misunderstandings between the Chinese and African people, but we can resolve them properly through candid and friendly consultations in the spirit of mutual respect and equality. At present, most African countries have stated that the two sides have communicated well and there is no such thing as "discrimination." We believe that China-Africa relations are mature and strong enough to withstand any test.

ByZhang Jia rui

From Yan’an University