The Chinese Embassy in Brazil Friday urged some Brazilians to immediately correct their mistakes and stop unjustifiable accusations against China.
Brazilian Education Minister Abraham Weintraub in his recent live internet broadcasts stigmatized China by calling the novel coronavirus "Chinese virus."
In response, the Chinese embassy noted that as the pandemic has recently been spreading across the world, no single country can meet challenges of the pandemic on its own.
The top priority now is for the international community to carry out active cooperation in fighting COVID-19, the embassy said, adding that all countries should safeguard international public safety, health and human well-being.
A woman wears a face mask amid COVID-19 outbreak in Sao Paulo, Brazil, April 4, 2020. /Xinhua
The embassy also pointed out that the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community are clearly opposed to linking viruses to specific countries and regions.
Local netizens also voiced outrage over Weintraub's anti-Chinese remarks, saying Weintraub's racist remarks were incompatible with his status and left Brazil embarrassed.
Big data analysis of a local political consulting company shows that in 30,000 tweets directly related to the incident, over 90 percent of comments criticized the Brazilian government, especially Weintraub himself, and voiced support to China.
Brazil's Workers' Party, Social Liberal Party and other major parties, as well as the mainstream media, scholars and social celebrities have also criticized Weintraub's improper speech.