China to Nigeria: We did not maltreat Nigerians, only imposed strict measures on foreigners amid COVID-19

… Nigeria is a good friend, nothing’ll be done to destroy relationship

At last, the Chinese Government has responded to outcry from Africans including Nigerian nationals in the country over alleged harassment and eviction from their homes and hotels, saying it only introduced strict COVID-19 measures.

It said on Tuesday that it decided resort to strict measures against Nigerians and other Africans stranded in Guangzhou, China, because of the prevalence of COVID-19 disease among foreigners.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Zhou Pingjian, gave the explanation in Abuja in reaction to the allegations of harassment and dehumanization of Nigerians by the Chinese police.

“Nigerians and other Africans were found to be more vulnerable given the number of those tested positive to the virus.’’

The envoy, however, agreed with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama that the measures deployed to contain the importation of COVID-19 which led to the mistrust were not properly communicated.

Pingjian and Onyeama briefed journalists on the alleged maltreatment of Nigerians stranded in China in a video which has gone viral.

The ambassador restated Chinese government’s zero tolerance for discrimination against foreign nationals, noting that “Nigeria is a good friend of China and therefore will not do anything to destroy that relationship.’’