“Go back to China”– this is a phrase that has been occasionally hurled at Asian faces in the United States in the past few years, especially during the rampant spread of Covid-19. Behind it lies a complex backdrop: US-China tensions, rising populism and the economic fallout of the pandemic. Xenophobia often festers when people face adversity.
Last week, a friend shared in a WeChat group that this phrase was recently uttered in Singapore. A few days ago, her parents from China faced discrimination when they misunderstood a delivery in their daughter’s English-speaking neighborhood.
After this incident, new immigrants in Singapore shared similar experiences, possibly due to a recent surge in tourists following a visa-free policy. However, many emphasized that Singapore is generally a harmonious and friendly society.
Reflecting on this, a recent tragic event in Shenzhen where a Japanese boy was fatally stabbed on the anniversary of Japan’s invasion of China serves as a reminder of the impacts of xenophobia and national tensions.