China’s Education Bureau has taken the rare step of warning Chinese students about studying in Australia when campuses are set to resume classes in July due to “racist incidents” during the coronavirus pandemic.
In its statement, the education ministry reminded “overseas students to conduct a good risk assessment and be cautious about choosing to go to Australia or return to Australia to study.”
The notice also warned students that coronavirus still presents a risk if they plan to resume their studies overseas.
There are more Chinese students at Australian universities than from any other overseas country.
Most international students returned home or were unable to enter Australia when the Federal Government banned travel from several countries, including China, in February. In response to the announcement, Education Minister Dan Tehan rejected the assertion that Australia is unsafe for international students.
“Australia is a popular destination for international students because we are a successful, multicultural society that welcomes international students and provides a world-class education,” he said in a statement to the ABC.
“Our success at flattening the [coronavirus] curve means we are one of the safest countries in the world for international students to be based in right now.”
The relationship between Australia and China appears to have shifted in the last few months after the Federal Government proposed an international inquiry into how the coronavirus emerged in Wuhan.
Since then, China has since imposed tariffs on some Australian imports, including barley.
This is the second Chinese Government agency in a week to warn citizens about Australia.
China’s nationalistic tabloid, The Global Times, has led the way, with frequent articles putting all blame for the deteriorating ties on Australia.
It has cited everything from Australian concerns about the political situation in Hong Kong and the South China Sea to banning Huawei from 5G and more recently calling for an independent inquiry into coronavirus.
Source: ABC
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