China's Guangzhou says foreigners, Chinese nationals treated equally in enforcing coronavirus measures

Africans sleeping on the street in Guangzhou, China, after being unable to find shelter. CNN handout

China’s southern City of Guangzhou denied discriminatory practices towards foreigners in implementing coronavirus containment measures.

Here's some background: CNN reported Saturday the African community in Guangzhou is on edge after accounts shared widely on social media of people being left homeless this week. Africans have been evicted from their homes by landlords and turned away from hotels, despite many claiming to have no recent travel history or known contact with Covid-19 patients.

CNN interviewed more than two dozen Africans living in Guangzhou many of whom told of the same experiences: being left without a home, being subject to random testing for Covid-19, and being quarantined for 14 days in their homes, despite having no symptoms or contact with known patients.

Consulate sends warning: On Saturday, the US Consulate in Guangzhou sent out a message to those registered as US citizens with the embassy, warning African-Americans to avoid travel to the city due escalating scrutiny and policies by Chinese officials in relation to Covid-19. The message warned that the Chinese legal system “can be opaque” and that US citizens could be subject to “heightened scrutiny by Chinese local law enforcement and state security.”

Chinese officials have denied discriminatory practices towards foreigners.

“We have always attached great importance to the safety of foreigners in Guangzhou and have guaranteed their legitimate rights in accordance with law. Police authorities have treated Chinese and foreign citizens in Guangzhou equally, and made no differentiation in enforcing epidemic control and prevention measures,” Guangzhou Police spokesman Cai Wei said at a press conference on Sunday.
He added foreigners need to strictly abide by Chinese laws and show identification documents when requested by police. Those who refuse to do so are subject to punishment, Cai said, adding most foreigners have been cooperative.

Guangzhou’s director of foreign affairs said the city has a “zero tolerance” policy toward discrimination, adding "we treat all foreigners in Guangzhou equally. We are opposed to differentiated treatment targeting certain groups,” according to state media.