The State of China-African Immigrants’ Relationship

Abstract

During the outbreak of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the world just did not witnessed the catastrophic biological impact of the virus, but also its devastating social impact as well. Among the many social disruptions, Chinese xenophobic attacks against African immigrants in China was one that claimed global attention and harsh condemnation from around the world, especially Africa. This paper takes a deep-dive below the surface of the Chinese outburst and seeks to point out some concerns that may have gotten missed amid the COVID-19 compelling presence. This research paper looks at some underlying issues that point to something more than just the COVID-19 pandemic as the root cause of the Chinese outburst, indicating that COVID-19 was simply a trigger. The paper makes recommendations that should help policy makers to rethink and plan preventive strategies to mitigate future Chinese-African immigrant conflict.

Introduction

This research paper provides an opinion on the recent dissent in China-Africa relationship in mid-2020 that was widely captured by international mainstream and social media. An appalling display of resentment maltreatment of African immigrants by Chinese in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper is an attempt to go beyond sentiments and provide a bigger picture of the situation relative to festering indifference that may have contributed to the conflict before the COVID-19 perceived xenophobic attacks. The paper also reference the pushback that China received from Africans and others around the world. It attempts to draw an analysis of all the exchanges in view of the social dynamics at play in global politics.

Wrong Action, Legitimate Concerns

At this point, it is expedient to note, rightly so, that Chinese apparent xenophobic attacks against African immigrants must and has been rightfully condemned by many, including African governments, prominent personalities, a number of western countries, and the UN. However, it is important to also note that those early concerns of the Chinese that served as precursors to their xenophobic actions are very legitimate concerns that must be address in a comprehensive manner to ensure peaceful coexistence and cordiality between the parties. That is why this paper seeks to shed light on the subject as a starter for further social research, public deliberation, and consideration during policy formulation, and development planning.  

Going Beyond the Surface

Going forward, the important question is why the sudden outburst by the Chinese? Even though it was generally reported during heightened tension of xenophobic attacks against African immigrants that the Chinese in general had an uneasy anticipation of a COVID19 second-wave if care wasn’t taken, and that African immigrants were not taking the pandemic serious; the paper concludes that the underlying factors or root causes of the Chinese outburst was not just the COVID-19. In fact, it might just as well been a trigger?

Social Indifference – Culture and Crime

First and foremost, it is important to note that Chinese resentment of African immigrants did not just begin with the rise of COVID-19 as the international media and social media posts may have suggested by the sudden outburst in 2020. Understandably, those responses were spontaneous as people reacted in shock to the appalling images that flooded the mainstream and social media. However, after the dust has settled and careful consideration is being given to the matter, research shows that as far back as 2017 there were reports of growing concerns among Chinese over specific social issues relating to African immigrants in China.

In context, as China's influence in global social, political, and economic relations expanded, Chinese presence across the world became very noticeable, especially in Africa. Notwithstanding, what didn’t catch the world’s attention was the fact that China also became open to foreign nationals for political, social, and economic reasons as well, and many Africans did seize the new found opportunities offered by China particularly in the areas of education and commerce. Though the world’s attention was focused on Chinese growing external economic interests across the globe, not much notice was given to other nationals immigrating to China. For example, an investigative report published in early 2017 by QUARTZ Africa showed that Chinese were becoming increasingly concerned about the growing population and presence of African immigrants in China. The Chinese observed that with the presence of the African immigrants were also growing incidences of drug trafficking and crimes, particularly in Guangzhou. Additionally, local Chinese were increasingly concerned about growing numbers of interracial marriages, something they were unprepared for.

Playing with Unresolved Trauma

Let’s not take lightly that population related concerns are very sensitive and complex social issues for China. Africans, for their part, may have little or no concern for population growth, and that it is a very trivial matter in the mind of the ordinary African man or woman. It is believed that the population of Africans in Guangzhou alone is estimated around 400,000-500,000. Whilst this number may seem insignificant in comparison to China’s population, it may not seem that way for Chinese in Guangzhou. History also has records of other nations with specific apprehension of social assimilation of Africans. In fact, similar fear in the United States in the 1800s led to the repatriation of freed black slaves to Africa during the end of the transatlantic slave trade. Practically for the Chinese, a sudden growth in the African immigrant population touches a very sensitive nerve, psychosocially. Even more importantly for China, not trying to make excuses for them, it goes without saying that their history is laden with deep pains and unresolved trauma when it comes to population control. So, considering that Africans are noted for large families, doesn’t help matters at all. Hence, in the foreseeable future, dealing with the anti-African sentiments which surfaced during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in 2020, requires taking into consideration the legitimate concerns of the ordinary Chinese, as well as, those the Chinese authorities may have separately. I should be careful to reiterate once again that this article is not intended to downplay the harsh treatment meted out by Chinese against African immigrants, but to ensure that social challenges that could be the root causes of the problem can be comprehensively addressed.

Political Miscalculation and Transferred Aggression

Another consideration in this research that severed as a contributing factor to the Chinese outburst apart from matters relating to the pandemic, which may have helped to fuel the Chinese frustration was the initial denial of many African immigrants of the real threat COVID-19 and human suffering had on human lives, especially as Chinese suffered the first burnt of the pandemic. The reported lack of or indecisive response of most African governments at the start of the pandemic was an affront to the Chinese amid the catastrophic impact of the pandemic in Guangzhou. Many African nations' initial response to the pandemic was either denial or total neglect to take any serious action. Therefore, in the face of the human suffering in China, especially after the first wave and the desperation to prevent a second wave, at was pretty easy to draw freely from their deep seated resentment of Africans. To make matters worse, the global blame game, castigations, and hate towards Chinese in general for the pandemic didn’t help either. The anger of the Chinese may have been irrational, but in hindsight, it is understandable. Their action was a natural response to a foreseeable threat and the quest for survival, though made fairly by the aid of unconscious bias.

Tit for Tat, the Uncivil Response

As part of the research and discussion of this subject, it is expedient to take into consideration the responses that the Chinese xenophobic actions towards African immigrants generated. For example, some African governments, especially nations such as Nigeria and Guinea did well to draw attention to the situation. Notwithstanding, violent reprisal were meted out against Chinese in the diaspora. Those attacks were equally appalling as the treatment Africans received at the hands of Chinese, and should be condemned as well. Also, African governments’ portrayal of the situation, whether in the local and international mainstream or social media, was for the most part misleading and did not represent a reasonable and workable forward-looking pathway to a lasting solution to improve China-Africa immigrant relationship. They simply addressed the symptoms and not the cause of the conflict. Their views of the situation were narrow and shortsighted. They succeeded in generating international attention and condemnation, but fell short of diving deep into the situation to research what would have so easily pushed the ordinary Chinese to have done what they did. If anything, it would be expedient for Africa to reconsider their response.

Uneasy Calm and Call to Action

Despite the tension has since quieted for the most part, or at least so it seems, response to the perceived xenophobic attacks against African immigrants in China must be addressed in a more comprehensive manner that will serve to curb similar future tension or outburst. On the one hand, African governments must take concrete actions to help their citizens in China to assimilate smoothly into their new environment. On the other hand, decisive measures must also be taken by China to ensure that challenges that may exist between ordinary Chinese and African immigrants are mitigated by researching and addressing the root causes of the Chinese resentment. Psychosocial programs and conflict sensitive community awareness must be pursued. These actions should go hand-in-hand with sustained China-Africa social, economic and political interests.

Cost Factor

Of course, there is always the concern of who bears the cost. I have no doubt that China, as the world’s fastest growing economy, can afford the financial burden as a fundamental part of their national and global investment long term strategy. This is important for them because Chinese will have to wake up to the reality that the complexity of globalization given their impressive takeover of the global economy cannot require anything less. Also, to protect her citizens across the globe, especially that there is a growing number of interracial marriages within and outside of China. It makes a more compelling argument for China to step up efforts to make this a policy issue in view of her massive investment in Africa. Whilst quid quo pro may not be an acceptable political and social norm, the reality of the same cannot be denied. If you want to be treated nicely, you need to treat others nicely as well.

Conclusion

In closing, it is important to acknowledge that indeed any human rights violation in China against African immigrants must be swiftly condemned, and that misguided reprisals from some African countries against Chinese in the diaspora must also be swiftly condemned. It was commendable to have seen the immediate outcry of African governments to the maltreatment of their citizens in China, and the urgent response of the Chinese government to address the situation and to make a commitment to the UN and the world to act to stop the maltreatment of African immigrants in China. Africans should realize that violent reprisal to crimes committed elsewhere, is as wrong as the crimes towards which reprisals are intended. Human rights violation anywhere, is human rights violation everywhere. There has to be a better way to address social, economic, and political differences. It is important that Africans in China take note of those realistic concerns of ordinary Chinese and consciously adjust their actions and behavior in those areas that have led to the anti-African sentiments in China - primarily in areas of reasonable concerns, as concrete steps are also take by their respective governments to aid the reconciliatory process more comprehensively.

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