Joseph Bakare
China has given its side of alleged inhuman treatment of Nigerians living in that country.
The country declared that it does not discriminate against nationals of any country stating that foreigners living in China are treated the same way as its citizens.
This was disclosed in a tweet posted on the official Twitter handle of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria.
The information quoted the Chinese Foreign Ministry as saying that; the Chinese government was averse to discrimination against foreigners.
‘‘On April 7 and 9, 2020, Spokesperson Zhao Lijian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chin made comments on recent media report of foreigners complaining about discrimination in China @GeoffreyOnyeama #COVID19Nigeria
‘‘FM Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said: “China and African countries are united more than ever; demonstrating brotherhood in times of adversity. We treat all foreign nationals equally in China. We reject differential treatment, and we have zero tolerance for discrimination.”
The Chinese embassy made this clarification after Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; met with its Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian on the disturbing allegation of ill-treatment of Nigerians in China.
The Speaker said that the inhuman treatment of Nigerians in China must be addressed forthwith.
Gbajabiamila confronted the Ambassador with the protest video of the incident; where the Nigerian Consul-General was seen challenging Chinese officials over the maltreatment.
He said that viral media reports and videos from Beijing showed Nigerians being forced out of their houses and hotels; rounded up and their passports seized by the Chinese police.
Meanwhile, in a statement on Thursday, April 9; the foreign ministry said in response to questions bordering on the same allegation; that China was even now focusing on helping African countries overcome the coronavirus.
“Since the COVID-19 outbreak, China and African countries have been supporting each other in fighting the pandemic. We won’t forget the support voiced and provided by African countries and their people; when we were at the most crucial stage of the fight.
“Now we are closely following the situation in Africa. The Chinese government and people are doing our best to help them,” Zhao said.
“We hope foreign citizens in China will continue to fully understand and cooperate with China’s epidemic control measures to prevent risks and protect the health and safety of themselves and others.
“That is their way of contributing to the final victory over the epidemic,” he added.