China’s education ministry has issued a travel advisory for Chinese students studying or contemplating studying in Australia, pointing to the dangers of COVID-19 and discriminatory treatment of people of Asian origin.
‘The Ministry of Education reminds overseas students to conduct proper risk assessments,’ it said, ‘and at this time take caution in choosing to go to Australia or return to Australia for their studies.’
This follows a warning last week from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism that Chinese should ‘by no means travel to Australia’ as a result of racist hostility.
China and Australia have important economic relationships, and China is a major source of tourists to Australia and students to its educational institutions. In 2019, it was estimated that 1.4 million Chinese had visited the country.
However, political tensions have been developing in recent years, with Australia concerned about Chinese meddling in its politics, and China suspicious of the close relationship between Australia and the United States.
The COVID 19 pandemic has heightened these tensions, as Australia has sought an investigation into the origins of the pandemic. China objected and said that this would drive anti-Australia sentiment in China. Restrictions were subsequently levied by China on certain agricultural imports.