McDonald's Apologizes After Restaurant In China Posts Sign Banning Black People From Entering

McDonald's has now made an official apology after photos showed signage in Guangzhou banning black people from entering its establishment.

The sign wasn't even subtle.

"We've been informed that from now on black people are not allowed to enter the restaurant. For the sake of your health consciously notify the local police for medical isolation, please understand the inconvenience caused," the sign reads.

Guangzhou, the southern part of Guangdong province is home to an extremely large African expat and tourist population, serves as a hub for traders and businessfolk.

According to many of those people, tensions in the province have been escalating with African residents telling BBC that many residents have been evicted from their homes and turned away from hotels and other restaurant establishments.

A McDonald's Corporation spokesperson said the blunt signage was "not representative of our inclusive values."

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

The temporary closure would be to "further educate managers and employees on our values, which includes serving all members of the communities in which we operate."

The South China Morning Post has reported that the Chinese government is looking to ease restrictions on African nationals to try and quell a diplomatic crisis in Guangdong.

Though McDonald's itself has reacted to make this kind of discrimination unacceptable, no such measures yet apply to local and family-run business in Guangzhou.