Africans in Beijing harassed as Olympics approach

troung · 07-19-2008, 12:03 PM

Africans in Beijing harassed as Olympics approach

GEOFFREY YORK
globeandmail.com: Africans in Beijing harassed as Olympics approach
From Saturday's Globe and Mail

July 18, 2008 at 7:10 PM EDT

BEIJING — Chinese police officials have forced some Beijing bar owners to sign secret pledges promising to prohibit blacks from entering their bars during the Olympics next month, a Hong Kong newspaper says.

The police denied the report Friday, and most bars denied any knowledge of the pledges. But many African residents of Beijing say they are facing harassment from police and discrimination from bars as the Olympics approach.

“Bar owners near the Workers Stadium in central Beijing say they have been forced by Public Security Bureau officials to sign pledges agreeing not to let black people enter their premises,” the South China Morning Post reported Friday.

It quoted the co-owner of a bar who said that a group of police had recently visited his establishment to order it “not to serve black people or Mongolians.”
Paramilitary policemen hold the Chinese national flag in front of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, at the Olympic Green in Beijing on Friday.
Enlarge Image

Paramilitary policemen hold the Chinese national flag in front of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, at the Olympic Green in Beijing on Friday. (Joe Chan/Reuters)
Related Articles

Recent

* Beijing busy welcoming the world as it turns away its ethnic minorities
* A jittery China awaits the Games
* PM still firm on decision not to attend Olympics

From the archives

* IOC says it's time for China to deliver on promises
* China seen as reneging on media-freedom vow

The Globe and Mail

In the famed Sanlitun bar district of Beijing, some bar owners have been required to sign pledges agreeing to ban a variety of activities, including dancing and serving black customers, the newspaper said.

Africans and Mongolians are often perceived as criminals in Beijing. Until this year, a number of young African men were openly selling drugs in the Sanlitun district, and many Mongolian women were working as prostitutes in the city.

Both groups are among the targets of China's security crackdown in the lead-up to the Olympics, along with thousands of Tibetans, Uyghurs, migrant workers, petitioners and social activists who are seen as potential troublemakers or protesters.

In a notorious incident last September, dozens of black people were detained by police in a raid on bars in the Sanlitun district.

Witnesses said the police rounded up all the black people they could find, up to three dozen in total, and beat some of them with rubber truncheons.

Grenada's ambassador to China filed a complaint to the Foreign Ministry, saying that his son suffered a concussion and needed hospital treatment after he was clubbed on the head by police during the raid.

Africans have been coming to Beijing for decades as university students or traders. But many were forced to leave China this year because of new visa restrictions that made it difficult to renew their paperwork.

In interviews Friday, a number of Africans said they are facing discriminatory rules from Beijing's bars and nightclubs as the Olympics approach.

A woman from Liberia, who is co-owner of a hair salon in Beijing, said she was outraged when she visited a popular Beijing nightclub and found that the entrance fee for black people was twice as high as for other foreigners.

Even if they managed to enter the club, the black patrons were prohibited from sitting at the tables, she said.

In another incident, she said, an African-owned bar was raided this week by police with dogs, and the customers were required to provide urine samples for drug tests.

“When the police come, you have to run,” she said. “I've lived in Holland and the United States and it was never like this. There's no human rights here. It's racist and it makes me feel very bad.”

If the police are now ordering bars to prohibit black people from entering, it is highly unfair, she said. “Every race has good people and bad people. You can't blame all blacks for drugs. If a person is not causing a problem, you shouldn't bother them.”

Two Nigerian businessmen said they were required to show their passports before being allowed to enter a Beijing nightclub last weekend. Black people who could not produce their passports were barred from entering the club, but other foreigners were not required to show their passports, they said.

“This had never happened before to me,” one of the Nigerians said. “I was very angry. This is racism.”

The Africans spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing more harassment from the police if they are identified. The Nigerians, interviewed at a bar, asked that the bar not be identified because they were worried that it could be raided if the police learned that Africans congregate there.

Recommend this article? 29 votes

Inst · 07-19-2008, 12:34 PM

This is possible, but astonishingly stupid.

However, on the other hand, most of the drug dealers in Sanlitun were African, and there was a violent incident where the cops beat up a bunch of African drug dealers.

Over on Danwei.com (translates to work unit, Western-run internet weblog focusing on Chinese media affairs), I'm trying to get persons of African descent to volunteer and see whether they are actively being turned away while bar hopping. The only source right now is SCMP, and some independent confirmation would be nice.

Inst · 07-19-2008, 15:47 PM

EastSouthWestNorth: Daily Brief Comments March 11-20, 2008

According to EastSouthWestNorth, this may have simply been a linguistic misunderstanding; a black customer in China may also refer simply to a shady customer. However, I'm still looking for black volunteers to go bar-hopping in Sanlitun.

dave lukins · 07-19-2008, 16:19 PM

Quote:

Two Nigerian businessmen said they were required to show their passports before being allowed to enter a Beijing nightclub last weekend. Black people who could not produce their passports were barred from entering the club, but other foreigners were not required to show their passports, they said.

By showing their Passports made them somehow "white or Chinese" and acceptable

dave lukins · 07-19-2008, 16:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inst

EastSouthWestNorth: Daily Brief Comments March 11-20, 2008

According to EastSouthWestNorth, this may have simply been a linguistic misunderstanding; a black customer in China may also refer simply to a shady customer. However, I'm still looking for black volunteers to go bar-hopping in Sanlitun.

These bar streets are very popular, or will be next month, so I'm sure you will have no problems getting "volunteers" to go with you

ned kelly · 07-19-2008, 19:31 PM

is this a case of China's revenge? mind you, this sort of sign was last posted 70+ years ago.....

**Officer of Engineers** · 07-19-2008, 19:33 PM

Name that movie where this picture comes from ... and show just how old you really are.

ned kelly · 07-20-2008, 01:21 AM

a bottle of chivas if you can tell me....

667medic · 07-20-2008, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

Name that movie where this picture comes from ... and show just how old you really are.

Fist of Fury....

**Officer of Engineers** · 07-20-2008, 02:01 AM

The original English name released in Asia was FIST OF FURY but renamed to THE CHINESE CONNECTION in the West.

A bit of trivia here. Right after this sign was displayed, we see Westerners in Afros and short skirts ... and wrist watches as per the late 1960s/early 70s. Hell, even the Sikh guard stopping good old Bruce was wearing suit and tie of the hippie era.

... And the Sikh was the most powerful man in the movie. He stopped Bruce Lee with a whistle.

**Officer of Engineers** · 07-20-2008, 02:08 AM

Ned, you can send the Chivas to 667 ... since I hate blends.

antimony · 07-20-2008, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troung

Africans in Beijing harassed as Olympics approach

GEOFFREY YORK
globeandmail.com: Africans in Beijing harassed as Olympics approach
From Saturday's Globe and Mail

July 18, 2008 at 7:10 PM EDT

BEIJING — Chinese police officials have forced some Beijing bar owners to sign secret pledges promising to prohibit blacks from entering their bars during the Olympics next month, a Hong Kong newspaper says.

The police denied the report Friday, and most bars denied any knowledge of the pledges. But many African residents of Beijing say they are facing harassment from police and discrimination from bars as the Olympics approach.

“Bar owners near the Workers Stadium in central Beijing say they have been forced by Public Security Bureau officials to sign pledges agreeing not to let black people enter their premises,” the South China Morning Post reported Friday.

It quoted the co-owner of a bar who said that a group of police had recently visited his establishment to order it “not to serve black people or Mongolians.”
Paramilitary policemen hold the Chinese national flag in front of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, at the Olympic Green in Beijing on Friday.
Enlarge Image

Paramilitary policemen hold the Chinese national flag in front of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, at the Olympic Green in Beijing on Friday. (Joe Chan/Reuters)
Related Articles

Recent

* Beijing busy welcoming the world as it turns away its ethnic minorities
* A jittery China awaits the Games
* PM still firm on decision not to attend Olympics

From the archives

* IOC says it's time for China to deliver on promises
* China seen as reneging on media-freedom vow

The Globe and Mail

In the famed Sanlitun bar district of Beijing, some bar owners have been required to sign pledges agreeing to ban a variety of activities, including dancing and serving black customers, the newspaper said.

Africans and Mongolians are often perceived as criminals in Beijing. Until this year, a number of young African men were openly selling drugs in the Sanlitun district, and many Mongolian women were working as prostitutes in the city.

Both groups are among the targets of China's security crackdown in the lead-up to the Olympics, along with thousands of Tibetans, Uyghurs, migrant workers, petitioners and social activists who are seen as potential troublemakers or protesters.

In a notorious incident last September, dozens of black people were detained by police in a raid on bars in the Sanlitun district.

Witnesses said the police rounded up all the black people they could find, up to three dozen in total, and beat some of them with rubber truncheons.

Grenada's ambassador to China filed a complaint to the Foreign Ministry, saying that his son suffered a concussion and needed hospital treatment after he was clubbed on the head by police during the raid.

Africans have been coming to Beijing for decades as university students or traders. But many were forced to leave China this year because of new visa restrictions that made it difficult to renew their paperwork.

In interviews Friday, a number of Africans said they are facing discriminatory rules from Beijing's bars and nightclubs as the Olympics approach.

A woman from Liberia, who is co-owner of a hair salon in Beijing, said she was outraged when she visited a popular Beijing nightclub and found that the entrance fee for black people was twice as high as for other foreigners.

Even if they managed to enter the club, the black patrons were prohibited from sitting at the tables, she said.

In another incident, she said, an African-owned bar was raided this week by police with dogs, and the customers were required to provide urine samples for drug tests.

“When the police come, you have to run,” she said. “I've lived in Holland and the United States and it was never like this. There's no human rights here. It's racist and it makes me feel very bad.”

If the police are now ordering bars to prohibit black people from entering, it is highly unfair, she said. “Every race has good people and bad people. You can't blame all blacks for drugs. If a person is not causing a problem, you shouldn't bother them.”

Two Nigerian businessmen said they were required to show their passports before being allowed to enter a Beijing nightclub last weekend. Black people who could not produce their passports were barred from entering the club, but other foreigners were not required to show their passports, they said.

“This had never happened before to me,” one of the Nigerians said. “I was very angry. This is racism.”

The Africans spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing more harassment from the police if they are identified. The Nigerians, interviewed at a bar, asked that the bar not be identified because they were worried that it could be raided if the police learned that Africans congregate there.

Recommend this article? 29 votes

This reminds me of another thread running on the board, on profiling
http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/cur...atch-list.html

Is this not odd? Given China's new found love for "helping" Africa? Bobby might get a bit upset if he hears about this

Ray · 07-20-2008, 13:42 PM

What's wrong with Blacks in Bars?

Are they rowdy?

Or is it because there is nothing like black and white and only shades of grey!

The whites are just too jaded and so grey!

Ray · 07-20-2008, 13:44 PM

The Chinese are getting too nutty by the day as the Olympics approaches.

At this rate they may well stop athletes on the basis of colour!

cdude · 07-21-2008, 01:08 AM

Beijing Boyce » Um, really? Update on SCMP story

Racism is alive in China, most people have little interactions with foreigners, they get their stereotypes of other races from movies/TV shows and video games.

But to believe a report like that, you must be borderline retard or a hater, or both

07-19-2008, 12:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
troung A Self Important *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 08-03-03 Posts: 4,632 Country:	Africans in Beijing harassed as Olympics approach Africans in Beijing harassed as Olympics approach GEOFFREY YORK globeandmail.com: Africans in Beijing harassed as Olympics approach From Saturday's Globe and Mail July 18, 2008 at 7:10 PM EDT BEIJING — Chinese police officials have forced some Beijing bar owners to sign secret pledges promising to prohibit blacks from entering their bars during the Olympics next month, a Hong Kong newspaper says. The police denied the report Friday, and most bars denied any knowledge of the pledges. But many African residents of Beijing say they are facing harassment from police and discrimination from bars as the Olympics approach. “Bar owners near the Workers Stadium in central Beijing say they have been forced by Public Security Bureau officials to sign pledges agreeing not to let black people enter their premises,” the South China Morning Post reported Friday. It quoted the co-owner of a bar who said that a group of police had recently visited his establishment to order it “not to serve black people or Mongolians.” Paramilitary policemen hold the Chinese national flag in front of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, at the Olympic Green in Beijing on Friday. Enlarge Image Paramilitary policemen hold the Chinese national flag in front of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, at the Olympic Green in Beijing on Friday. (Joe Chan/Reuters) Related Articles Recent * Beijing busy welcoming the world as it turns away its ethnic minorities * A jittery China awaits the Games * PM still firm on decision not to attend Olympics From the archives * IOC says it's time for China to deliver on promises * China seen as reneging on media-freedom vow The Globe and Mail In the famed Sanlitun bar district of Beijing, some bar owners have been required to sign pledges agreeing to ban a variety of activities, including dancing and serving black customers, the newspaper said. Africans and Mongolians are often perceived as criminals in Beijing. Until this year, a number of young African men were openly selling drugs in the Sanlitun district, and many Mongolian women were working as prostitutes in the city. Both groups are among the targets of China's security crackdown in the lead-up to the Olympics, along with thousands of Tibetans, Uyghurs, migrant workers, petitioners and social activists who are seen as potential troublemakers or protesters. In a notorious incident last September, dozens of black people were detained by police in a raid on bars in the Sanlitun district. Witnesses said the police rounded up all the black people they could find, up to three dozen in total, and beat some of them with rubber truncheons. Grenada's ambassador to China filed a complaint to the Foreign Ministry, saying that his son suffered a concussion and needed hospital treatment after he was clubbed on the head by police during the raid. Africans have been coming to Beijing for decades as university students or traders. But many were forced to leave China this year because of new visa restrictions that made it difficult to renew their paperwork. In interviews Friday, a number of Africans said they are facing discriminatory rules from Beijing's bars and nightclubs as the Olympics approach. A woman from Liberia, who is co-owner of a hair salon in Beijing, said she was outraged when she visited a popular Beijing nightclub and found that the entrance fee for black people was twice as high as for other foreigners. Even if they managed to enter the club, the black patrons were prohibited from sitting at the tables, she said. In another incident, she said, an African-owned bar was raided this week by police with dogs, and the customers were required to provide urine samples for drug tests. “When the police come, you have to run,” she said. “I've lived in Holland and the United States and it was never like this. There's no human rights here. It's racist and it makes me feel very bad.” If the police are now ordering bars to prohibit black people from entering, it is highly unfair, she said. “Every race has good people and bad people. You can't blame all blacks for drugs. If a person is not causing a problem, you shouldn't bother them.” Two Nigerian businessmen said they were required to show their passports before being allowed to enter a Beijing nightclub last weekend. Black people who could not produce their passports were barred from entering the club, but other foreigners were not required to show their passports, they said. “This had never happened before to me,” one of the Nigerians said. “I was very angry. This is racism.” The Africans spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing more harassment from the police if they are identified. The Nigerians, interviewed at a bar, asked that the bar not be identified because they were worried that it could be raided if the police learned that Africans congregate there. Recommend this article? 29 votes __________________ To sit down with these men and deal with them as the representatives of an enlightened and civilized people is to deride ones own dignity and to invite the disaster of their treachery - General Matthew Ridgway

07-19-2008, 12:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Inst Contributor Join Date: 12-17-06 Posts: 528	This is possible, but astonishingly stupid. However, on the other hand, most of the drug dealers in Sanlitun were African, and there was a violent incident where the cops beat up a bunch of African drug dealers. Over on Danwei.com (translates to work unit, Western-run internet weblog focusing on Chinese media affairs), I'm trying to get persons of African descent to volunteer and see whether they are actively being turned away while bar hopping. The only source right now is SCMP, and some independent confirmation would be nice. Last edited by Inst; 07-19-2008 at 12:36 PM..

07-19-2008, 19:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
ned kelly Patron Join Date: 02-18-08 Location: sydney Posts: 154 Country:	is this a case of China's revenge? mind you, this sort of sign was last posted 70+ years ago..... __________________ Illegitimi non carborundum

07-19-2008, 19:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
Officer of Engineers *Military Professional* Moderator Scotch taster Join Date: 08-06-03 Posts: 20,021 Country:	Name that movie where this picture comes from ... and show just how old you really are. __________________ Chimo

07-20-2008, 13:42 PM	#13 (permalink)
Ray Suspended Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 29,172 Country:	What's wrong with Blacks in Bars? Are they rowdy? Or is it because there is nothing like black and white and only shades of grey! The whites are just too jaded and so grey! __________________ "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination." I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to. HAKUNA MATATA

07-19-2008, 15:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Inst Contributor Join Date: 12-17-06 Posts: 528	EastSouthWestNorth: Daily Brief Comments March 11-20, 2008 According to EastSouthWestNorth, this may have simply been a linguistic misunderstanding; a black customer in China may also refer simply to a shady customer. However, I'm still looking for black volunteers to go bar-hopping in Sanlitun.

07-20-2008, 01:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
ned kelly Patron Join Date: 02-18-08 Location: sydney Posts: 154 Country:	a bottle of chivas if you can tell me....

07-20-2008, 02:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
Officer of Engineers *Military Professional* Moderator Scotch taster Join Date: 08-06-03 Posts: 20,021 Country:	The original English name released in Asia was FIST OF FURY but renamed to THE CHINESE CONNECTION in the West. A bit of trivia here. Right after this sign was displayed, we see Westerners in Afros and short skirts ... and wrist watches as per the late 1960s/early 70s. Hell, even the Sikh guard stopping good old Bruce was wearing suit and tie of the hippie era. ... And the Sikh was the most powerful man in the movie. He stopped Bruce Lee with a whistle.

07-20-2008, 02:08 AM	#11 (permalink)
Officer of Engineers *Military Professional* Moderator Scotch taster Join Date: 08-06-03 Posts: 20,021 Country:	Ned, you can send the Chivas to 667 ... since I hate blends.

07-20-2008, 13:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
Ray Suspended Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 29,172 Country:	The Chinese are getting too nutty by the day as the Olympics approaches. At this rate they may well stop athletes on the basis of colour!

07-21-2008, 01:08 AM	#15 (permalink)
cdude Regular Join Date: 03-28-08 Location: Palo Alto, CA Posts: 92 Country:	This is a rumor Beijing Boyce » Um, really? Update on SCMP story Racism is alive in China, most people have little interactions with foreigners, they get their stereotypes of other races from movies/TV shows and video games. But to believe a report like that, you must be borderline retard or a hater, or both __________________ Tibet might be faraway, but it's ours

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