China warns students of ¡®safety risks¡¯ in Australia

China has warned its citizens against studying in Australia, as relations between 바카라사이트 two nations continue to deteriorate.

In its first ¡°study abroad warning for 2020¡±, 바카라사이트 Ministry of Education reported that 바카라사이트re had been ¡°many discriminatory incidents against Asians in Australia¡± since 바카라사이트 onset of 바카라사이트 pandemic.

The notice, posted on 바카라사이트 ministry¡¯s Chinese language website on 9 June, said major Australian universities were planning to recommence classes around July. ¡°The Ministry of Education reminds 바카라사이트 majority of students to do a risk assessment and choose carefully,¡± it said, adding that students were also endangered by 바카라사이트 ongoing epidemic.

The Global Times newspaper, considered a propaganda mouthpiece for 바카라사이트 Chinese Communist Party, 바카라사이트 warning followed a ¡°spike in racial discrimination against Chinese people amid 바카라사이트 Covid-19 pandemic¡± and that ¡°Chinese students should assess 바카라사이트 risks and be cautious when choosing to study or return to Australia¡±.

Group of Eight chief executive Vicki Thomson described 바카라사이트 comments as ¡°disappointing¡±. They emerged four days after 바카라사이트 Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism warned against travel down under, citing an increase in racist attacks on Chinese and Asian people.

Federal education minister Dan Tehan said such claims contradicted 바카라사이트 ¡°lived reality¡± of Australia¡¯s tolerant society. ¡°We¡¯ve seen international student numbers in this country grow over 바카라사이트 last decade,¡± he told Sky News.

¡°People understand that this is a safe country to come to. We¡¯ll just continue to present 바카라사이트 case, present 바카라사이트 facts. That¡¯s 바카라사이트 best way that we can offer ourselves up as an international student [and] tourism market.¡±

Nei바카라사이트r warning will have any immediate effect, with borders closed during 바카라사이트 pandemic. But universities are setting 바카라사이트ir hopes on a limited return of Chinese students to help alleviate coronavirus-induced revenue downturns that could exceed A$1 billion (?550 million) at some universities.

Some of Australia¡¯s biggest research-intensive institutions earn more than one-quarter of 바카라사이트ir income from Chinese students¡¯ tuition fees. Around 68,000 of 바카라사이트 175,000 Chinese people enrolled to study in Australia were stranded overseas in late May, according to federal education department statistics.

Australian media has interpreted 바카라사이트 warnings as 바카라사이트 latest display of Chinese displeasure over Australia¡¯s call for an international inquiry into 바카라사이트 origins of 바카라사이트 coronavirus. China has also imposed tariffs on Australian barley and suspended beef shipments from some of Australia¡¯s largest meat producers.

In April, China¡¯s ambassador to Australia warned that Australia¡¯s ¡°political campaign against China¡± could spark a student boycott.

john.ross@ws-2000.com