ANTI-CHINESE sentiment is flaring in Papua New Guinea during a week of political turmoil, with widely circulated text messages calling for the public to ”forcefully evict” Chinese from the country if former leader Sir Michael Somare returns to power.

”The Somare regime existed through Asian mafia’s fundings … PNGians will be slaves of Somare family and Asians. Declare war against Asian influx,” the messages read in part. They are spreading virally ahead of today’s Supreme Court decision on whether the current government, led by Peter O’Neill, took power legitimately after 75-year-old Sir Michael stood aside while undergoing medical treatment in June.

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