Australia rejects China's racism alert to students

Beijing's claims of anti-Asian incidents add to woes of Aussie unis hit by virus curbs

Students during a graduation ceremony at the University of Sydney in 2016. Australian universities are already facing massive losses as an indefinite coronavirus border closure locks out foreign students who pump billions of dollars a year into the s
Students during a graduation ceremony at the University of Sydney in 2016. Australian universities are already facing massive losses as an indefinite coronavirus border closure locks out foreign students who pump billions of dollars a year into the sector. PHOTO: REUTERS

SYDNEY • Australian officials and leading universities yesterday rejected China's claims that students should be "cautious" in choosing to study in Australia because of concerns over racist incidents during the coronavirus pandemic.

China's Ministry of Education warned students on Tuesday there had been "multiple discriminatory incidents against Asians in Australia" during the pandemic, ramping up diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

The advisory was the latest in an escalating dispute between Beijing and Canberra that was deepened by Australia's call for an independent inquiry into the origin and handling of the coronavirus in central China last year.

Beijing reacted furiously to the demand, targeting Canberra on several fronts, including tourism, trade and now Chinese students, the largest overseas group in Australian universities.

Australian Education Minister Dan Tehan hit back yesterday, saying the country was a multicultural society that welcomed international visitors.

"Our success at flattening the curve means we are one of the safest countries in the world for international students to be based in right now," he added in a statement.

"We reject China's assertion that Australia is an unsafe destination for international students."

Racism towards Asians has reportedly increased during the pandemic, with the New South Wales anti-discrimination commission saying instances included people being bullied for wear-ing a face mask, spat at and harassed in public, and racist language written across cars and private property.

Ms Vicki Thomson, chief executive of Australia's prestigious Group of Eight universities, told Agence France-Presse they would "be very concerned" if Beijing's warning deterred students from coming to Australia.

"We've had no evidence provided to us that there are issues of racial discrimination occurring on our campuses, and I think it's worth noting that we don't have a lot of students on our campuses at the moment," she said.

Ms Thomson lamented that the sector had been "caught in the middle" of geopolitical tensions.

Australian universities are already facing massive losses as an indefinite coronavirus border closure locks out foreign students who pump billions of dollars a year into the sector.

Beijing's travel advice was largely symbolic but could interfere with a proposal to create a "secure corridor" for overseas students to return to Australia.

Education is Australia's fourth-largest export - behind iron ore, coal and natural gas - with more than 500,000 international students enrolled last year, bringing about A$37 billion (S$36 billion) into the economy.

China's statement came a day after a Foreign Ministry spokesman warned of "a lot of discrimination" against Chinese people in Australia - and days after Beijing told citizens not to travel there at all.

Tensions with many democracies have risen as China pursues a more combative foreign policy and seeks to assert itself on the world stage.

In response to Australia backing calls for an independent virus inquiry, China's ambassador in Canberra threatened a widespread consumer boycott of Australian products - a warning followed up by a bar on four major Australian beef exporters.

That was followed last month by an 80 per cent tariff on Australian barley over dumping allegations, a move grain growers say will cost at least A$500 million a year.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 11, 2020, with the headline Australia rejects China's racism alert to students. Subscribe