Open Letter on National Unity during the Coronavirus Pandemic
From 16 Australians of Chinese
heritage
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Hi
all, below is an open letter from 16 Australians of Chinese heritage, calling
for national unity in Australia the face of rising anti-Chinese sentiment. You
can find the PDF version here or read it
below.
We
discussed this issue in last week’s
Neican, and also published a piece
by Osmond Chiu looking at the relationship between COVID-19 racism and
historical anti-Chinese sentiment in Australia.
We
think this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately.
-
Yun and Adam
OPEN LETTER ON 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.
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.
These instances are not isolated. 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.
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.
Australians
of all backgrounds mobilised and donated generously to affected communities and
firefighters during the recent bushfires. And as Australia now battles the
virus facing a shortage of personal protective equipment, Chinese Australians
have been sourcing and donating large quantities of medical supplies to
Australia, alongside other generous organisations and individuals.
As
we confront the COVID-19 pandemic, national unity is critical to our defence
and recovery.
Whilst
robust debate about the bilateral relationship between Australia and China is
appropriate and important — especially in the context of the protection of our
democratic institutions and values — it is essential that the distrust, disenfranchisement
and vilification of Asian Australians not be tolerated at any level.
To
allow abuse of any group to occur in our current crisis, jeopardises
Australia’s social cohesion at the time when we need it most. This is a time
for all Australians to come together.
8
April 2020
Signed
- Jason Yat-sen Li — Company director and advisor
- Dr John Yu AC — Former Australian of the Year
- Benjamin Law — Author and journalist
- Su-Ming Wong — Investor and company director
- Tony Ayres — Screenwriter and director
- Annette Shun Wah — Writer and theatre maker
- Albert Tse — Investor and company director
- Albert Wong AM — Company director
- Adam Liaw — Chef, author and presenter
- Benjamin Chow AO — Company director
- Wesa Chau — Innovator
- William Yang — Photographer
- Brad Chan — Company director
- Jieh-Yung Lo — Writer and commentator
- Claudia Chan Shaw — Designer, author, presenter
- Dr Cindy Pan — GP and author
