China, Russia to work over illegal border crossing

China said Tuesday it will work with Russia to prohibit illegal border crossings when it is facing a new coronavirus flare-up along its border with the northern neigbour.

Passenger channels on the border have been sealed and emergency medical units rushed to the area to prevent travelers from bringing the virus back from Russia.

Zhao Lijian, China's foreign ministry spokesman, said China will strengthen cooperation with Russia to fight the pandemic.

China has sent a medical team to Russia to help with virus control measures.

Zhao also responded to criticism from the US State Department over racist mistreatment of Africans in the Chinese city of Guangzhou.

African officials have confronted China publicly and in private over the issue and the US says African-Americans have been targeted too.

Zhao said the US is "making a fuss of the issue in attempt to drive a wedge between China and African countries," adding the friendship between them was "unbreakable and deeply rooted in the hearts of the peoples in China and Africa."

Some Africans in the commercial hub have reported being evicted or discriminated against amid coronavirus fears.

A US Embassy security alert on Saturday said that "police ordered bars and restaurants not to serve clients who appear to be of African origin," and local officials have launched mandatory testing and self-quarantine for "anyone with 'African contacts.'"

A recent increase in virus cases in China has been largely attributed to people arriving from overseas.