Coronavirus: UK sees rise in racism targeting Asian people after outbreak in China

Asian people in the UK say the coronavirus outbreak has led to a rise in racism - such as people appearing to avoid them on public transport.

It comes as China's UK ambassador warned against "rumours and panic" over the virus.

Three cases have been identified in Britain so far - with one more diagnosed on Thursday.

However, a Myanmese food writer from London posted photos of a Tube journey which showed people choosing to stand rather than sit next to her.

"I got on to the Victoria line at Highbury and Islington and was on my way to Oxford Circus. Platform was full, carriage was full," said MiMi Aye.

"I noticed that no-one had sat down either side of me and I thought 'Huh, that's weird' ... I decided to take photos of the empty seats around me.

"People around me looked very uncomfortable and wouldn't catch my eye."

She said she believes the incident may have been down to "stupidity and paranoia" rather than racism.

Others have posted on social media about similar experiences.

Writer Angela Hui tweeted: "Don't you just love to see it when a man sits in the empty seat next to you on the Tube and immediately gets back up muttering 'errr, not sitting next to coronavirus'."

In Sheffield, a Chinese student was reportedly pushed and abused for wearing a face mask.

South Yorkshire Police said they were "liaising with both universities and representatives from the Chinese community in the city to offer reassurance and establish further details".

Ken Chung, a British-Chinese comedian, posted: "Less than 0.001% of Chinese people have coronavirus yet more than 99.999% have already experienced coronaracism."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has spoken out against racist attitudes over the outbreak.

"I deplore any attacks on the Chinese community. This is not about one part of the world," he said on Thursday.

"It's about making sure that we have the proper response. We have plans in place, we're working through those plans."

Liu Xiaoming, China's UK ambassador, urged Britain to support his country and warned people to stay level-headed.

"It is of hope that governments of all countries, including the UK, should understand and support China's efforts, avoid overreaction, avoid creating panic, and ensure normal co-operation and exchanges between countries," he said.

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There have also been instances of racism reported around the world since the outbreak began - a little over a month ago.

Twitter users in France have been using the hashtag #JeNeSuisPasUnVirus - "I am not a virus" to fight back against prejudice.

A group of Chinese tourists were also allegedly spat at in Venice, while US beauty blogger Michelle Phan tweeted: "Why are some of you telling me to go back to eating bats? I'm American you ignorant f****."

Another tweet seeking to put the virus into context has been liked by nearly 200,000 people.

@catcontentonly wrote: "Your racist jokes about dying of coronavirus are all so tired. The flu killed 80,000 ppl in the US in 2018 alone, but I guess you're not worried about that since it's not racialized as carried by dirty orientals the way coronavirus is."

There were also reports in Australia's Daily Telegraph last week that people had avoided doing CPR on a man who collapsed and died in Sydney's Chinatown over fears he could have the virus.

A police spokesperson did not comment on the claims.

However, a video is also being shared that shows people with a more compassionate approach.

People hugged a masked Asian man who stood in the centre of Florence with a sign reading: "I'm not a virus, I'm a human, eradicate the prejudice."

Italy last week suspended all flights from China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan until the end of April.

Outside mainland China, at least 240 cases of the virus have been confirmed, with 28 cases in Europe, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

In China, 563 people have died, but the daily jump in cases is getting bigger.

Figures early on Thursday said the number of confirmed cases there had increased 3,694 to 28,018.