China: Muslims Flee Repression, Seek Asylum in Australia, New Zealand

A rising wave of political and religious persecution in China is compelling its citizens to seek refuge far from home, in Australia and New Zealand. According to recent data from the Australian Department of Home Affairs, over the last five years, at least 3500 Chinese students have applied for political asylum in Australia. In neighbouring New Zealand, this year, there has been a threefold increase in asylum applications from Chinese citizens. These spikes mirror the growing desperation among Muslim Chinese students to escape repression, restrictions, and persecution.