"Yellow Danger": The Corona virus triggers racism against the Chinese in the world

With the spread of the virus, which has killed more than 350 people, many citizens of Asian descent are humiliated and disgraced. A bus passenger escaped from a Chinese-origin journalist in London, and Chinese children in Canada experienced bullying at school. The newspaper in France used an old racist term to describe Asians

"Yellow Danger": The Corona virus triggers racism against the Chinese in the world

The outbreak of the Chinese virus and its spread to various parts of the world have sparked anti-Chinese sentiments and reactions, some with racist scents.

Thus, in France, one of the newspapers published a picture of a Chinese woman wearing a mask, with the caption "Yellow Warning". In another headline from the same paper, "Coriera Picard," another headline reads "New Yellow Danger?", Similar to the old-fashioned racial phrase that depicts people of Asian descent who are considered part of the "yellow race."

Following the angry reactions of readers who accused the newspaper of using abusive language, he quickly apologized, making it clear that he had no intention of perpetuating "racist stereotypes." However, the French newspaper is not the only means of spurring racist statements in relation to Asian residents, which included a focus on their eating habits and customs. Chinese users rushed to launch a counter campaign, with the "I am not a virus" hashtag (about the weight of the famous "I am Charlie, Je Suis Charlie" hashtag).

Most of the statements focus on food. Beijing residents with masks (Photo: AP)

Beijing citizens covered in face masks due to Corona virus, February 1, 2020 (Photo: AP)

With the spread of the virus and the restrictions imposed by various countries around the world on the entry of Chinese citizens, many people of Asian descent living outside their homeland have said that they are treated like walking viruses. In the UK, a local journalist of Chinese descent said a man on a bus in London rushed to get a seat when he sat down next to him.

A Malaysian-Chinese aid worker told of a similar experience. "A couple at a school in East London where I work have been asked why Chinese eat weird food when they know it causes viruses," she told CNN.
In Canada, there have been reports of Chinese children harassed at school. In New Zealand, which has not yet been approved for a virus infection, a Singaporean woman said racist curses were thrown at the mall.

Not only in Western countries has racism increased against the Chinese. Also in Vietnam, signs were hung outside restaurants that read "No entry to Chinese". Similar signs were seen outside the store in Japan.

Passenger on Beijing subway today (Photo: AP)

A passenger travels in Beijing, China, with mask on his face, February 3, 2020 (Photo: AP)

Most of the anti-Chinese feelings focus on Chinese food, which includes eating different animals. The new virus apparently originated in the seafood and wildlife market in Wuhan, and scientists have pointed to bats and snakes as potential carriers of the virus. However, only a small part of China's population actually eats these animals, which are mostly used for traditional customs or medicine.

On the other hand, the authorities are having trouble enforcing the regulations on trafficking in those animals, which also developed the SARS virus, a member of the same family of the new virus. Even during the outbreak of the previous virus, in 2002 and 2003, many anti-Chinese reactions were recorded around the world.

The Chinese embassy compared Israel's steps to the Holocaust and apologized: "The message was misunderstood"

Struggling with racism

Due to concerns of communities of Chinese and Asian origin living in the West from their discrimination, officials in the authorities rushed to call on the general public to avoid it.

In a statement confirming the first case of the Los Angeles virus last week, the local health bureau emphasized that "people should not be excluded from activity based on their race, country of origin or recent travel if they have no symptoms of respiratory disease."

The Toronto Department of Public Health also warned that misinformation about the virus has created "unnecessary stigma on members of our community." "I am deeply concerned and disappointed that this is happening," Eileen de Vila said in a statement she made. "Discrimination is unacceptable. It is not helpful and disseminating incorrect information does not provide protection to anyone.

Toronto Mayor John Torrey has also come out against the virus. "We stand with our Chinese community against stigma and discrimination," he said. "We must not allow fear to beat our values ​​as a city."