Touching Chinese Restaurant Campaign After Coronavirus Outbreak Gains Momentum In Australia

In the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, a social media campaign encouraging Australians to support local Chinese businesses is gaining momentum.

The hashtag #IWillEatWithYou urges people to dine at Chinese restaurants, after several eateries have claimed a slump in business following racism and xenophobia towards Asian-Australian communities.

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Community action organisation GetUp! introduced the hashtag over the weekend, asking its supporters: “Can you pledge #IWillEatWithYou & eat at an Asian restaurant to show your support?”

“While other restaurants and public spaces are still buzzing, it is the Chinatown restaurants and Asian grocers that stand empty. Panic around the virus is unfairly impacting Chinese and Asian communities,” the organisation stated on its website.

“If we don’t take action – people will lose their jobs, and their livelihoods. Can you take the pledge to defeat baseless fears and support these businesses in their time of need?”

Australians have begun to show their support, tweeting photos or messages along with the hashtag.

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