Thousands of African migrants living in Guangzhou in southern China are being targeted by racist attacks and policies.
The problem has become so bad that one African nation has even begun evacuating its citizens from China.
The reason? Besides simple prejudice, Africans are being blamed for exposing Chinese people to COVID-19.
African students in Chinese universities are said to be subjected to indefinite quarantine, even if they don’t test positive for the disease.
Others have been evicted from their apartments and forced to live on the streets, despite having paid their student fees and housing costs.
A McDonald’s in Guangzhou even posted a sign reading: “Notice: We’ve been informed that from now on black people are not allowed to enter the restaurant.”
The Chinese government has denied singling out Africans, and the issue is a political hot potato with countries such as Kenya that have become greatly dependent on Chinese investment.
The problem has become so bad that Kenya has begun evacuating its citizens at its own expense.
Africans still stuck in China are doing what they can to publicize their plight via social media, and provide each other a modicum of support.
Sources: BBC News, The Daily Nation (Kenya)