Covid 19 coronavirus: Africans in China continue to suffer brunt of racist reaction to virus

A sign that said black people were banned on a McDonald's in Guangzhou, China. Photo / Supplied

China says pictures and videos purporting to show black people being discriminated against – and in some instances physically assaulted – in parts of the country are "fake news".

The truth is much more complicated. In some cases, fake news is responsible. In other cases, there is blatant discrimination and xenophobia against China's African population.

In the months since the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, stories, images and videos have circulated about a racial divide in parts of China.

Things came to a head when a McDonald's store in Guangzhou erected a sign banning black people from entering.

"We've been informed that from now on black people are not allowed to enter the restaurant," the sign read.

McDonald's was forced to apologise for the sign, distancing itself publicly from the incident.

"Immediately upon learning of an unauthorised communication to our guests at a restaurant in Guangzhou, we immediately removed the communication and temporarily closed the restaurant," the burger chain said in a statement.

But more alarming footage soon surfaced showing black people being attacked in China.

The viral videos were circulated widely on Facebook and YouTube but AFP Fact Check this week revealed many of the videos were designed to deceive.