China warns students about travelling to Australia
China has issued a warning for students travelling to Australia, delivering another blow to a key Australian export industry as relations between the two countries deteriorate further.
University leaders in the $19 billion sector were on Tuesday night scrambling to respond to the intervention. The education sector is heavily exposed to the Chinese market as its largest source of international students.
The Australian dollar fell by more than 1 per cent after the statement was published by the Chinese Ministry of Education late on Tuesday afternoon. In its first warning for students travelling to any other country since the outbreak began, it urged students to do a risk assessment and be cautious in choosing to study or return to Australia in July.
Australian universities with large Chinese international student populations are increasing their response to coronavirus.
"The spread of the new global COVID-19 outbreak has not been effectively controlled, and there are risks in international travel and open campuses," the ministry said in a statement. "During the epidemic, there were multiple discriminatory incidents against Asians in Australia."
The warning is the second intervention from the Chinese government in the past week after it urged tourists to reconsider travelling to Australia due to "an alarming increase" in racial discrimination and violence during the pandemic.
The claim was rejected by Trade Minister Simon Birmingham on Sunday as having no "basis in fact". He argued Australia was "the most successful multicultural and migrant society in the world".
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has accused Australia of suspicion, recrimination and division since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Beijing launched trade strikes on $1 billion worth of beef and barley in April after Australia lobbied for an independent inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus.
But the ministry has maintained the two issues are unrelated. Its spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, said on Monday that the travel alert for tourists came with "full evidence", citing Australian media reports of increased discrimination.
"The Chinese government has been responsible in reminding Chinese citizens to make proper travel plans and protect themselves from harm," she said. "We also advise the Australian side to pay attention to the problems and take concrete measures to protect the security, rights and interests of Chinese nationals in Australia."
China is one of Australia's top sources of international students.Credit:Louie Douvis
Vicki Thomson, chief executive of the Australian universities' Group of Eight, said the group was absolutely committed to international students and to maintaining a collaborative relationship with China, but said the statement from the education ministry was disappointing.
"Statements such as this do make things more difficult at an already difficult time," she said.
"We know students will do their own research about our health and safety as it relates to them — as they should — and we look forward to being able to welcome them back to our campuses as soon as the Australian government’s health advice indicates that we can.”