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China’s African traders try to move on from Covid-19 racism and business ruin
- Some of those living in an area of Guangzhou dubbed Little Africa experienced more extreme discrimination during the outbreak
- Their strong support for the US’ Black Lives Matter protests leaves them questioning whether to stay or leave
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Mohammed has spent several weeks sleeping in his cramped trading booth in one of Guangzhou’s export centres after being kicked out of his flat and forced into quarantine in April, but the Tanzanian trader said he was content to be in China.
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As Africans in the southern Chinese metropolis were targeted that month in a coronavirus clampdown that sparked a diplomatic backlash, Guangzhou’s Xiaobei neighbourhood – known as Little Africa – went into lockdown.
Like many in the community, including those who were evicted from their dwellings, Mohammed said he was trying to return to normal life now that the lockdown had eased.
“It happened, it was bad, but I just want to move on,” said Mohammed, who trades garments and shoes and like most people interviewed did not want to provide his full name given the sensitivity of the situation.
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Coronavirus: African in Guangzhou, China says 'discrimination' behind 6-day mandatory quarantine
Coronavirus: African in Guangzhou, China says 'discrimination' behind 6-day mandatory quarantine
Guangzhou is the hub for Africans engaged in trade in China, often small-scale business owners dealing in garments and other consumer goods, and is also a centre for students from the continent.
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