HH REMARKS ON CHINESE ARE XENOPHOBIC- YALI
PROPOSING a moritorium on Chinese contact was not only xenophobic but a spectacular display of lack of judgment and political acumen by UPND president Hakainde Hichilema, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) president Andrew Ntewewe has said.
Mr Ntewewe said it was not right to single out the Chinese because Corona virus was global
He said in an interview that in as much as there was fear and apprehension over the spread of the coronavirus, xenophobia should not be instigated.
Mr Ntewewe said the fight to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus should not be turned into a warfare promoting hate against the Chinese.
He said Mr Hichilema’s statement was irresponsible as it instigated xenophobia against Chinese nationals.
Mr Ntewewe said people were pushing for furious reactions against the Chinese for fear of China’s domination of the world.
“People have realised that Zambia is getting better by the day because of its good relations with China. And China’s domination of the world is creating shivers in many people that is why we are seeing some people instigating furious reaction against the Chinese,” he said.
Mr Ntewewe said it was immature to dock the Chinese over the Coronavirus which was now a global problem.
He said Italy, Japan, South Korea, Iran and other countries had registered significant spikes in Coronavirus cases but wondered why only Chinese should be stopped from entering the country.
Mr Ntewewe said countries should find ways of preventing the spread of Coronavirus without instigating hate against the Chinese.
He said China was a great trading partner for many countries and that it would be suicidal to cut ties with the Chinese.
Mr. Hichilema on Monday appealed to Government to consider extending a moratorium on various engagements with Chinese counterparts, until the disease was completely brought under control.
“We have read reports of Kenya suspending flights from China in an effort to contain the spread of the Coronavirus to its citizens. This is exactly what we expected from those in government today. Leadership calls for making aggressive and sometimes painful decisions in the interest of the well-being of the people they are governing.
“We should therefore consider extending a moratorium on various engagements with our Chinese counterparts, until the disease is contained. We do not just have the capacity as a country to fight this virus because in the first place, we do not have the resources,” Mr. Hichilema said.