CHINA: COPING WITH RACE, DISCRIMINATION ON AFRICANS

By Martin Arrey* 

China within the past thirty years has experienced tremendous transformation in her economic policy and technological advancement and has attracted many migrants especially Africans.

The general observation is that most Chinese who associated with Africa in the past as equal partners are seeing Africans as ‘beggars’ who come to China to take wealth back to their countries.

Chinese words commonly used:‘heiren’(black),‘hei’ (illegal) “waiguo ren” (foreigner) carry deep connotations, prejudices and stereotypes about black Africans in China. “Those words often used by Chinese make me uncomfortable” says Koffi Durell, a Ghanaian student from Chongqing University.

Emmanuel Wallani from Uganda concurs. “I sat next to a Chinese child in a subway and noticed the child was pointing at me. I waved at her to say hello. The mother whispered something to her. She changed her mood as if I frightened her. I wonder what she said to her. I know that these are daily experiences of many Africans in China, “he regretted.

Africans in Trouble in China?

Dr James Leibold Senior Lecturer in Asian Studies and Politics at Trobe University, China, said Ethnic and religious discrimination in China which started since the imperial days and seems institutionalized. “The government had told the Central Ethnic Work Conference that current policies are correct and ethnic relations are basically harmonious. This is consistent with almost every statement issued by the Chinese Communist Party. But across the globe there are ethnic problems and you first have to admit it. Only by admitting shortcomings can you talk about them and seek solutions. But in China no one talks about it,” he lamented.

SURVIVING ETHNIC DISCRIMINATION

Living and working in China remains difficult because Chinese assume Africans are unlearned and thus unqualified to teach their kids English. Since the subject is the highest sector of employment for migrants.

 “Life has gradually become tougher especially for African job seekers or for those doing business. You are recruited based on the colour of your skin and nationality. When you call an agent for a job opening you saw somewhere, the first question is, “Where are you from”? If you say from Africa, she/he will say: “Sorry, our company doesn’t recruit blacks. We need a white skin,” or “we only employ native speakers not Africans,” “blacks can’t teach English. We need foreigners not blacks,” many interviewees regretted. If you say you are from South Africa, the question is “Are you black or white”? On ads for online jobs phrases like ‘whites only’ No Africans please,” are common.

“I used to apply for part time English teaching jobs without success. My fortunes only changed when one employment agent changed my nationality on the resume to an American. It worked like magic,” Sandra Dushikamin from Rwanda narrated.

There is the belief that discrimination against Africans has caused many part-time workers in China to lie about their nationality.

If a white commits a crime, it is said a foreigner has committed a crime but if a black “feijiu ren” commits a crime, it is said an African irrespective of where the black is from,” explains a Nigerian.

Blackman Warned

There is also discrimination at the level of payment and if Immigration officers discover that you are well paid, they will not extend your visa and in collaboration with the school, they could device all means to terminate your contract.

However, many institutions have now compared and seen the difference. Many training centers in Chongqing, Chengdu, Nanjing, Wuhan and other areas now prefer Africans to teach than the whites because Africans are more devoted, loyal and focused. According to some school officials, Western counterparts are too proud and arrogant.

With the rise in the intake of many African as ESL Teachers, many Provinces and cities have banned visa extension for Africans and or made acquisition of work visa for Africans very difficult. African we spoke to are calling on their leaders to rethink their engagements with Beijing.

*Martin Arrey is Secretary General, Cameroon Association in China