McDonald's China has issued an apology after a branch in Guangzhou put up a notice stating that "black people" are banned from entering the eatery, as per Inkstone News.
On Apr. 12, Twitter user @BlackLivityCN posted a video that showed a McDonald's staff holding a notice that read:
"We've been informed that from now on black people are not allowed to enter the restaurant. For the sake of your health consciously notify the local police for medical isolation, please understand the inconvenience caused.
police TEL:110"
Screenshot via @BlackLivityCN Twitter
GIF of video from BlackLivityCN
Shanghaiist further reported that McDonald's China confirmed that an African man had indeed been given such a notice when he went to one of its branches by himself to buy a meal.
In a statement sent to Inkstone News, the fast food company stated:
"McDonald’s China apologizes unreservedly to the individual and our customers. McDonald’s China takes these matters seriously and stands firmly against any form of discrimination or racial profiling."
Branch closed for half a day to conduct "Diversity and Inclusion" training programmes
Shanghaiist reported that the company also ordered the branch to stop such actions immediately, and closed it for half a day on Apr. 12 to conduct "Diversity and Inclusion" training programmes.
The company added:
"A mandatory training for all McDonald’s China employees and crew members is also in progress to ensure those values will be implemented and such an occurrence will be prevented from happening again."
Racism against Africans in China is rising over imported cases of Covid-19
This incident is part of a rise in racism against Africans in China over fears of imported cases of Covid-19.
On Apr. 7, five Nigerians in Guangzhou were reported to have tested positive for the virus after they had visited multiple locations, which resulted in a racist comments backlash online about Africans in China.
In addition, Africans also reported being subjected to eviction, random testing for Covid-19, and 14-day quarantines, despite testing negative for the virus, CNN reported from interviews with over 24 Africans living in Guangzhou.
France24 quoted a Nigerian businessman who stated that Africans were also supposedly being harassed by the Chinese police.
He said, "Everywhere the police see us, they will come and pursue us and tell us to go home. But where can we go?"
Videos of policemen following Africans who have allegedly been evicted from their homes have also been circulating online.
Screengrab via @JoshLeCash Twitter
Gif of video from @JoshLeCash Twitter
Screenshot from @yemiadalee Twitter
Gif of video from @yemiadalee Twitter
African countries furious
As such, ties between China and African countries have since entered a state of crisis, the Financial Times (FT) reported.
Several African ambassadors have written to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to condemn "the persistent harassment and humiliation African nationals", according to a letter seen by FT.
In addition, China's ambassadors in Nigeria and Ghana have been summoned by the respective governments to provide an explanation.
Meanwhile, in Ethiopia, the chairperson of the African Union (AU), Moussa Faki, stated that the Chinese ambassador to the AU had received an invitation for the organisation to express its "extreme concern".
China's state-run media says ill-treatment of Africans is a "Western trap to stir enmity"
For its part, China appears to be downplaying the problem.
On Apr. 12, state-run media, Global Times, ran an article about the allegations of ill-treating Africans as a "Western trap to stir enmity".
It said authorities in Guangzhou have stated that "equal policies" have been put in place for both Chinese nationals and foreigners.
Additionally, in response to the summoning of its ambassadors in African countries, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has reportedly stated that China treats "all foreign nationals equally in China".
It also said: "We reject differential treatment and have zero tolerance for discrimination."
The tables have then been turned on the Africans.
Li Haidong, a professor at the institute of international relations of China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, also said that Africans are unable to immediately accept China's strict new measures.
This is due to the Covid-19 outbreak not being as serious in Africa as it is in China, he added.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, Zhao Lijian, said China's "friendship" with Africa remains unchanged in a video posted to Twitter.
Screenshot via @zlj517 Twitter
Top image collage from @BlackLivityCN Twitter