China Responds to Gen Kainerugaba's Concerns About Ugandans in Guangdong

The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Zheng Zhuqiang has appreciated the Ugandan Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba for acknowledging Africa's brotherhood with China in his recent tweets in which the Ugandan General highlighted concerns about criminals who attacked members of the black community in some parts of China.

In his remarks on Monday, Gen Kainerugaba noted that China is a historical and reliable friend of Africa -- ever since Chairman Mao led the Chinese Communist Party to victory in 1949. He was, however, quick to call for strong action against individuals that had attacked Africans living in China.

"A lot of friends, comrades and associates from across East Africa have been urging me to say something about the hooliganism and racism being exhibited by a small section of criminals in China against Africans. I urge the great Chinese Communist Party to take action against these criminals. China is a historical and reliable friend of Africa ever since the great Chairman Mao led the Chinese Communist Party to victory in 1949! They helped Africa defeat the existential threat of Colonialism. So, China is most definitely a friend of Uganda and Africa. I urge the great Chinese Communist Party to take strong action against these few counter-revolutionary spoilers. I also urge my fellow East Africans not to touch the Chinese people living amongst us. Let us teach the whole world what civilization means".

China responds 

Following the General's tweets, H.E Zheng Zhuqiang has personally responded, acknowledging Uganda's brotherhood with China and highlighting measures that have been put in place to normalize the situation in Guangdong city where the attacks on Africans happened.

"It is with profound appreciation that I read some of your tweets on Monday, April 20, 2020, in which you commended passionately that China is a historical and reliable friend of Africa ever since the great Chairman Mao led the Chinese Communist Party to victory in 1949!", the Ambassador noted in a letter to Gen Kainerugaba which has been seen by the Kampala Post.

"Those warm remarks from a Ugandan comrade are a true demonstration of our brotherhood and friendship that were born and nourished from the history, and battle that we fought shoulder by shoulder against colonialism, which China also cherishes so much at the bottom of our heart," said Ambassador Zhuqiang adding that: "Indeed, China and Africa have been good comrades and brothers sharing weal and woe for a long time, holding each other so closely and dearly to the heart!"

In his latest tweet on Thursday afternoon, Gen Kainerugaba thanked the Chinese Ambassador for his prompt response.

"I want to thank the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, His Excellency Zheng Zhuqiang, for his prompt response to my tweets about the situation of some Ugandans and other Africans in Guangdong, China. In his comradely letter to me the Ambassador was able to highlight the effective counter COVID-19 measures the authorities in Guangdong are taking that affect all nationalities. He was also kind enough to explain the intervention measures the Central Government of China is taking to help Ugandans and other Africans. I thank him very much for his quick response and elaborate letter. Long live the strong fraternal relations between Uganda and China and China and Africa!" said the General in the tweet.

READ MORE: Gen Kainerugaba Urges China to Take Strong Action Against Criminals who Attacked Africans

In the letter dated April 22, H.E Zhuqiang notes that, like Gen Kainerugaba, the Chinese authorities had also been closely following the situation of some Africans including Ugandans in Guangdong.

"Guangdong has been facing great pressure of guarding against imported cases and a domestic resurgence of COVID-19," Amb Zhuqiang says in the letter.

He further explains that due to the tough measures that were put in place to curb the spread: "There have been some lack of communication and/or misunderstandings between the local working level and some of the foreigners. This, as you fully understand, by no means represents the policy and position of the Chinese government and has no intention to discriminate Africans."

He, however, observes that some of the videos posted on social media did not tell the whole true story.

"Both China and Africa should be vigilant against online contents that may mislead people's perceptions and sentiments at first sight," he says. 

Nonetheless, H.E Zhuqiang says that authorities in Guangdong have taken swift measures to address relevant concerns that resulted from the conduct of some individual conducts and conduct.

Some of the measures include stopping any restriction or denial to African nationals access to public facilities and services such as hotels, shopping centers, apartments, and residential areas among others.

China has also pledged to provide financial support to Africans in need, handle the humanitarian need of affected Africans as a matter of priority and deal with their 'illegality issue' (overstaying visa and related matters) at a later stage.

"We can safely say that a mechanism that links Africa and China is in place to address any such issues in our joint efforts to foster our comprehensive partnership with Uganda and Africa," H.E  Zhuqiang notes in the letter to Gen Kainerugaba.

On top of the measures, H.E Zhuqiang says he has been working with his counterparts back home and Uganda's foreign affairs minister Hon Sam Kutesa to ensure normalization of life for Ugandans and other Africans in China amid the troubles of the COVID-19 pandemic.