Chinese Australians request for solidarity due to rise in racial abuse amidst COVID-19 crisis

Sydney, April 15 (People’s Daily Online)-A group of 16 prominent Chinese Australians are calling for solidarity amongst the recent rise of racism towards the Asian community amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Open letter on Autralia's national unity during the Coronavirus Pandemic

"We are deeply concerned that the recent rise in anti-Chinese sentiment is driving a marked escalation in racial abuse towards Asian Australians. This poses a serious threat to our national unity,” they expressed.

The 16 prominent Chinese Australians include Chinese Australian Forum president Jason Yat-sen Li, chef and TV presenter Adam Liaw, and former Australian of the Year John Yu, working in the field of business, science, the arts and entertainment.

“As Australians of Chinese heritage, we have been shocked by footage of the vilification of Asian Australians that has circulated globally across social media, with many of the victims targeted because of their Asian appearance.” They wrote.

Many acts of racial abuse are tied to COVID-19, prompting the group to cite the Australian Human Rights Commission February report.

“In February, the Australian Human Rights Commission reported that one in four people who lodged racial discrimination complaints in the past two months say they were targeted due to COVID-19.”

"Australians are being targeted because of their Asian heritage or appearance, and we cannot allow this disturbing trend to continue unchallenged. We ask for fairness in our national debate, our media reporting and in our communities," the group wrote.

"Chinese and other Asian Australians have been in Australia since the 1800s. They have helped to build this nation, fought for Australia in both World Wars and are deeply loyal citizens.”

It is "essential that the distrust, disenfranchisement and vilification of Asian Australians not be tolerated at any level," they wrote.

After validating their argument, the group of 16 requested a state of solidarity and unity,asking all Australians to stick together just as we have done in history before us.