[Global Times Comprehensive Report] The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China announced on the evening of the 5th that due to the impact of the New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic, racial discrimination and acts of violence against Chinese and Asians in Australia have increased significantly, so Chinese tourists are reminded not to go Tourism in Australia. On the 6th, the Australian government refuted the Chinese claim that it lacked factual basis, but was “slapped” by the cases and data provided by multiple media. Australian media analysis believes that the travel warning issued by China is a "continuation of punishment" for Australia.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Australian Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said on the 6th that "a wave of violence against the Chinese has never erupted in Australia". The Chinese statement is based on "misinformation" and "Chinese people Knowing that Australia is a great country worth visiting." Australian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham issued a statement on the 6th saying that "we reject China's claim" and that the increase in racial discrimination in Australia is "unsubstantiated." He said that "China is Australia's largest single source of international tourists" and Australia is "the most successful multicultural and immigrant society in the world." Given that the Australian government has closed the border to most countries due to the new crown epidemic, Birmingham told the media, "Australia has achieved world-leading success in suppressing new crown pneumonia. We are looking forward to welcoming tourists from all over the world as our health advice allows Safe and hospitable country."
Many Australian media do not agree with the Australian government's "clarification". According to multiple media reports, after the spread of New Coronary Pneumonia in Australia, prejudice and discrimination against Chinese and other Asians skyrocketed. ABC reported on the 7th that the media report showed that three racist attacks against Chinese families occurred within a week of April. According to a report by the British "Guardian" on June 1, the records of the anti-discrimination agency in New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, show that a total of 241 discrimination complaints were received from January to April this year; at the same time, another tracking in Australia The anti-Asian racist community database received 380 reports within two months-equivalent to 47 reports per week, including spitting, verbal abuse, or smashing of car windows due to wearing masks. The report also shows that the number of complaints of racial discrimination per capita related to new coronary pneumonia in Australia is higher than that in the United States.
According to the BBC, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in mid-2019, more than 1.43 million Chinese have visited Australia in the past year, accounting for 15% of the country's total international tourists. ABC quoted the analysis of Australian experts on the 7th that Chinese tourists "emphasize the government's views on relations between countries." The tourism warning will have a long-term impact on Australia's tourism industry. Major beef traders "extended punishment" after issuing export bans. (Cong Chao)