African
diplomats have threatened to shut down their consulates after it was evident
that China no longer welcomes Africans into its major cities such as Guangdong
Province, Beijing and others.
In
a protest letter to the Chinese Government, a copy of which was made available
to reporters, African Consuls-General noted that Africans were being denied
hotel accommodation upon arrival in Guangzhou.
It
also noted that Africans were subjected to an additional 14-day quarantine at
various isolation centres after being cleared and issued an appropriate certificate
of release by the Centralized Quarantine and Medical Observation.
The
Consuls-General warned China that their home countries might retaliate against
Chinese nationals living and doing business in Africa if the stigmatization was
not speedily resolved.
While
accusing Chinese officials of discriminating against their nationals, African
diplomats warned that the situation could degenerate if not properly handled.
In
line with Article 5 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963, they
called on the Chinese Foreign Affairs Office to intervene and address the
complaints.
The
Consuls demanded a prompt reversal of Guangdong’s policy on “the selective
attack on Africans as well as unannounced visits to homes after the working
hours.”
The
diplomats stated, “In the consequence that the issues are not properly resolved
promptly, the African Consulates-General will be left with no option but to
communicate to our home country the racial bias and discrimination against
Africans in China.
“We
would also bring the same to the attention of the international
community-United Nations, International Criminal Court, International Court of
Arbitration, World Health Organisation, Amnesty International, African Union,
among others.”
“We
would have no option but to retaliate the same ill-treatment meted out on our
nationals to the Chinese nationals in our various countries; close all the
African Consulates in Guangzhou until further notice and engage in general
street protest by the African Consulates-General and nationals,” the diplomats
warned.
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