Festive decorations are seen during the Chinese Lunar New Year parade in Manhattan's Chinatown of New York City, the United States, February. 9, 2020. /Xinhua
Editor's note: Rabi Sankar Bosu is an Indian article contributor to Chinese media outlets. He writes about Chinese politics, social and cultural issues, and China-India relations with special interest on the Belt and Road Initiative. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
When the Chinese government and people have been making all-out efforts to battle the COVID-19 outbreak, some politicians in the United States, Australia, the UK, Germany, Canada, France, Italy, and a section of their citizens, as well as their media outlets were engaged in racist prejudice or xenophobia against Chinese people. Their racist rhetoric and irrational behavior are not justified in the religion of humanity. Most importantly, this shocking "truth" is a shame to our civilized society.
Since the outbreak of the epidemic, various news outlets have reported about how Chinese people are facing discrimination and racist comments from the Western world. The racist chorus is being amplified by some Western media, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Jyllands-Posten in Denmark and Der Spiegel in Germany, to name a few.
A February 3, a Wall Street Journal opinion piece entitled "China is the Real Sick Man of Asia" literally had racist undertones that slandered the Chinese government and people. But the racial coverage didn't go unnoticed by the Chinese government. Chinese people fought back with sense of unity against racism, which can be seen in CGTN's anchor Liu Xin's comment on February 8, "China is not only battling the virus but a wave of deeply repugnant and often racist-laden attacks."
Due to the excessive discriminatory coverage, there is a dangerous "infodemic" which was criticized by the World Health Organization. Many people are scared of Chinese people. They are avoiding Chinese restaurants or Chinatowns across the world since the COVID-19 outbreak. In Europe and the U.S., Chinese visitors are being verbally abused, harassed, pelted with eggs on the street.
Local people support China in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak during the Lunar New Year parade in Manhattan's Chinatown in New York, U.S., February 10. /Xinhua
According to an AFP report, on January 29, a Chinese passenger on Lufthansa received bad treatment from fellow fliers because he had been in Wuhan two weeks earlier. It is appalling to read that in Frankfurt, an Asian person was shamelessly asked: "Well, do you have the China virus?" Such anti-Chinese sentiments are unexpected in Germany, which is known in Chinese as "the land of morality."
The same situation was echoed in Italy, France, Canada and Australia. Chinese people and other members of the Asian community are enduring physical assaults and verbal insults. The Bologna Today reported that a 15-year-old Chinese Italian boy was punched and kicked in the face on February 2 and asked "What are you doing in Italy? Go away! You're bringing us disease." We shudder to read that in Florence, a 22-year-old Monica Wang received a threat on social media: "You Chinese are destroying the world, I hope your daughters are raped and raped again so you can learn to stay wherever you came from." What a horrifying picture of prejudice and hate!
Although the United States had confirmed 35 cases of COVID-19 by February 22, a spate of racist incidents have surfaced there also. Some unwise and infantile remarks made by some U.S. politicians, including Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, State Secretary Mike Pompeo, and Senator Rick Scott have added fuel to the flames of anti-Chinese racism.
Many Chinese people and those of Asian descent living in the U.S. are now forced to bear the stigma of the COVID-19 outbreak for which they are not responsible. On February 14, CBS News reported that in California's San Fernando Valley, a 16-year-old Asian American boy who was thought to be Chinese was physically assaulted in his high school and accused of having the COVID-19. This is one of the disheartening examples that tell us how the Chinese students or students of Chinese descent are facing scary racial bullies and harassment across the United States.
Over its two-month course, the COVID-19 outbreak has shown us two completely different reactions from Western people: discrimination on the one hand and support and encouragement on the other. Serving people in their distress, regardless of caste, creed and religion is the true display of humanity.
Some Western people should take a fresh look at China's prevention and control measures to curb the spread of the epidemic and to ensure the safety and health of its people and every foreign national in China.
It is expected that Western governments take positive steps to discourage racial discrimination and stop racist attacks against China and Chinese people as well as people of Asian descent at this difficult time. It is also hoped that all governments and people from all walks of life across the world stand with China to conquer the "people's war." Wake up, humanity!
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