(Fighting against New Crown Pneumonia) Chinese Canadian politicians speak out against words and deeds against discrimination
China News Agency, Toronto, May 5 (Reporter Yu Ruidong) In the face of recent discrimination and deeds in Canada against Asian ethnic groups including Chinese, many Canadian Chinese politicians said that they must stand up to fight back and fight unfair Discrimination.
Canadian Senator Beard Xiu recently assisted many Chinese communities in donating anti-epidemic materials to hospitals and long-term care institutions in the Greater Toronto Area. On May 5, under his liaison arrangement, a Chinese immigrant entrepreneur named Hu from Mainland China donated 50,000 Canadian dollars each to Toronto Sick Children Hospital and North York General Hospital. At the same time, a matching donation for the Hong Kong immigrant Zheng family who raised money for the North York General Hospital made the hospital receive a total of 200,000 Canadian dollars.
Beard Xiu said that these donations will effectively support the frontline medical staff and elderly care centers and other anti-epidemic, so the hospital is also very moved.
He said that the Chinese community realized earlier that New Coronary Pneumonia is not an ordinary epidemic, and it is not easy to fight the epidemic. Therefore, in terms of donations, "I believe that the Chinese in Canada have done very well." Selfish interests or various reasons, making use of the epidemic that everyone should fight against, and making unfair reports by certain media are very unfair to both Chinese and Asians.
May is the Asian traditional month of Canada. Beard Xiu told reporters that Asian ethnic groups, including Chinese, have made a very important contribution to the construction of Canada. The whole society, especially the mainstream society, should realize that anti-epidemic cannot be achieved by a certain ethnic group or country alone. "Everyone must work together to fight against the epidemic, but also to fight against unfair racial discrimination," Xiu Xiu said, "Asian ethnic groups should unite and oppose unfair reports. We must stand up and voice our voice."
A few days ago, a survey said that 14% of Canadians believe that all Chinese or Asians may carry the new coronavirus. Hate crimes in several cities in Canada have recently increased, and Asians have repeatedly become the target of harassment and even violent attacks. Some politicians openly questioned the loyalty of Canadian Canadian public health officer Tan Yongshi to Canada. In the media, some media questioned the motives of the Chinese community in supporting China to fight the epidemic.
Canadian Rep. Dong Hanpeng issued a statement at the end of April to admit that he was shocked by some anti-Asian voices in society. He said that although Asians in Canada have made positive contributions for decades, they still face discrimination and intolerance. This view of hatred and bigotry should not exist in this country.
He said that Asian people from all over Canada actively participated in the fight against the epidemic. In his constituency, the Chinese community has donated tens of thousands of protective materials to front-line medical staff, and international students have also provided tangible help to the elderly in long-term care institutions. Whether faced with racist speech or questions about loyalty, all Canadians have a responsibility to maintain multiculturalism.
Federal Congressman Guan Huizhen said that he had also been attacked by a few people because of the epidemic. She said that Canadian history shows that when society faces major difficulties, vulnerable groups can easily become scapegoats. Although the current situation is worrying, I believe this generation will not repeat the same mistakes. Both public education and Canada ’s society of multicultural ethnic groups help people overcome irrational prejudices. She also said that if the public encounters hate crimes, they should not be tolerant, but should report to the relevant authorities.
Canadian Federal Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade Wu Fengyi published an article in English and Chinese newspapers in early May, saying that the current epidemic crisis "reminded us that we are actually far from immune to racism and hatred." The New Crown epidemic "brought health and economic crises, but it also uncovered something else-there is a sinister and potentially racist trend, which cannot but arouse the world's scrutiny."
Wu Fengyi called for condemning racism and discrimination in the community, resisting the tendency to try to push the blame to where it should not be blamed, and to demonize a group of people because of race and ancestry. "If we do not speak out at this time, the impact of the new crown epidemic will not only be aimed at the health and economic future of our country." (End)