Reps demand end to inhuman treatment of Nigerians in China

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Medical team under 100% quarantine, says Chinese envoyLeadership of the House of Representatives on Friday expressed displeasure over the inhuman treatment meted out on Nigerians by the Chinese authorities in Beijing.

House Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, expressed the sentiment said at a meeting of the House leadership with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian.

He declared that the inhuman treatment of Nigerians in China must be addressed forthwith and further went ahead to confront the ambassador with the protest video of the incidence where a Nigerian was seen challenging Chinese officials over their inhumane actions.

At the meeting, which had in attendance the Minority Leader, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu and Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Toby Okechukwu, the speaker said viral media reports/videos from Beijing showed Nigerians being forced out of their houses and hotels, rounded up and their passports seized by the Chinese police.

The viral videos also showed that some Nigerians were being forced into another 14-day quarantine after the initial 14 days they spent for same purpose over the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

The speaker said there should be an official explanation by the host country for treating Nigerians in such a manner.

While asking the Chinese ambassador if he has taken up the issue with his home country, the speaker said: “If the diplomatic relationships between our two countries are for the mutual benefits of our citizens, then there must be respect for our citizens and we should not compromise it.

“As a government, we will not allow the Chinese or other nationals to be maltreated just as we will not allow Nigerians to be maltreated in other countries.

“The way you treat your citizens, we expect that’s how you’ll treat others. We will not tolerate our citizens breaking your laws, but the crime of one citizen cannot be used to stigmatize the whole country.

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“It appears that’s what happened in this case. You can’t use one brush to smear the whole wall. Whatever the reason, it cannot be used and taken out on the entire community in China.”

Responding, Ambassador Pingjian said though he has not been officially informed about the details of the incidence, but that he would take it up with his home government.

“We take our relationship with Nigeria very seriously. Until we receive a full report from back home, I cannot act, but I can assure you it is not a policy issue.

“We treat everyone equally, but during the implementation of the COVID-19 measures in China, it is possible for some incidents; all I do is to take it back home, today I will,” he said.

Also, the speaker sought to understand the specific mandate of the Chinese medical team that arrived Nigeria on Wednesday and if they are on quarantine.

The envoy said the Chinese medical personnel are in full quarantine and ready to observe all protocols as stipulated by Nigeria.

“They are on 100 per cent quarantine. The NCDC has been there twice; they have to follow the protocol.

“They are here to deliver medical supplies and on advisory role only, that is a prevention working group on COVID-19. They will do nothing like practicing as doctors,” he said.