A fearsome and new virus from China has spread all over the world. So have the anti-Chinese sentiment, the requests that Chinese citizens be banned from entering several countries and examples of unworthy treatment of Chinese and other Asians.
In South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Vietnam there were Chinese customers who were denied service in restaurants. In Indonesia there was a demonstration near a hotel calling for the march of Chinese guests.
Racist headlines
Newspapers in France and Australia received criticism for racist headlines. In Europe, the United States, Asia and Oceania there have been complaints about racism against Chinese.
Apart from China, two dozen countries have reported cases of the new coronavirus, which has killed more than 300 people and infected thousands in China. Many countries sent planes to the Chinese city of Wuhan to evacuate their citizens.
Feelings against China coincide with a time when Beijing strengthens its global influence. The rise of the Asian giant has caused trade, political and diplomatic disputes with many countries.
But the emergence of the mysterious disease has been accompanied by a reaction against the Chinese, and in some cases, against all Asians.
Yesterday, in the Philippines, Mayor and President Abner Afuang said he burned a Chinese flag on Friday before the National Press Club in Manila to protest the problems caused by China in the Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia, such as the virus and claims from Beijing over disputed islands in the South China Sea.
Many Japanese have asked on social media to ban entry to Chinese travelers, fearing they go to Japan to seek treatment related to the virus. “Please, immediately ban Chinese tourists,” said one user, while another said, “I am very concerned that my son can get the virus.”
French netizens participated in a conversation on Twitter with the motto #JeNeSuisPasUnVirus (I am not a virus) that has included numerous testimonies of discrimination, from insulted children in the schoolyard to subway passengers who depart from people with Asian appearance.
The South Korean internet has been flooded with comments asking the government to expel or veto entry to Chinese citizens, as well as racist comments about culinary customs and hygiene in China.
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