Chinese consulate in Melbourne condemns xenophobic attack
Global Times
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People wearing masks walk on the street in Sydney, Australia, on March 2, 2020. (Photo: Xinhua)

Consulate General of China in Melbourne strongly condemned acts of hatred, perpetrated against Chinese, and urged local police to protect the legitimate rights of its nationals after two Chinese students were the victims of a xenophobic attack related to COVID-19 on the streets of an Australian city.

Both victims are recovering and local police have nabbed the attackers.

On March 19, two Chinese students from the University of Tasmania in Hobart, Australia, were physically assaulted, and hurled with racial slurs related to novel coronavirus pandemic.

After the incident, the Consulate General of China in Melbourne immediately got in touch with the students to verify the incident and offer all needful assistance.

The Chinese Consulate General has expressed its concern to the local police and the university, asking them to attach great importance to the safety of Chinese students and to protect legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in Melbourne.

Since the outbreak of coronavirus, all sections of the Australian community have clearly expressed their opposition to any discrimination against Chinese people over the pandemic.

However, hate crimes of varying degrees against Chinese were reported in various parts of Australia.

The Chinese Consulate General in Melbourne in a statement strongly condemned such unwarranted assaults and urged the Chinese citizens in Australia to exercise caution.