The federal government is rejecting claims of widespread racism, as China urges its citizens not to study in Australia.
China has issued its second travel warning against Australia in less than a week.
This time it targets students, with the Ministry of Education claiming COVID-19 has seen a rise in racial discrimination and violence against the Chinese community.
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham doesn’t believe there has been an increase in racist attacks.
He says it would be a loss to both nations if students don’t choose to study Down Under.
“We would feel the effect – our universities would – if we saw a downturn in international student numbers,” says Mr Birmingham.
“That would be not only an economic effect but [would] also impact the diversity of learning that occurs on those campuses and the different perspectives that brings. It would also be a loss to those Chinese students.”
China is the biggest source of foreign students for our universities.
