China on Tuesday explained the reasons behind its strict measures against Nigerians and other Africans stranded in Guangzhou as the world battles the coronavirus pandemic.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Zhou Pingjian, said the prevalence of the COVID-19 disease among foreigners necessitated the action.
He explained that the Nigerians and other Africans were found to be more vulnerable given the number of those who 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 envoy said according to the current statistics of the outbreak of the COVID-19 in Guangzhou, Nigerians and other Africans were most vulnerable, hence the measures were meant to protect them.
He said the Chinese have a zero tolerance for discrimination.
Besides, he said Nigeria is a good friend of China and therefore would not do anything to destroy that relationship.
