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Beijing (AFP) - The publisher of Chinese national carrier Air China's in-flight magazine apologised Thursday for allegedly "racist" travel advice offered to passengers visiting London, as mainland social media users rushed to defend the controversial tips.
The latest issue of "Wings of China" ran an article detailing safety tips for travellers based on the race and nationality of local residents.
"London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people," the article said in English translation below a Chinese text, according to a photograph published by CNBC.
"We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when travelling," it added.
The Chinese version was worded slightly differently, stating that such neighbourhoods were "comparatively more chaotic" -- an adjective often used to describe dangerous areas.
The English translation prompted London MP Virendra Sharma, who emigrated from India to Britain in the 1960s, to complain to the Chinese government.
"I am shocked and appalled that even today some people would see it as acceptable to write such blatantly untrue and racist statements," he said in an online statement.
"I have raised this issue with the Chinese ambassador, and requested that he ensures an apology is swiftly forthcoming from Air China, and the magazine is removed from circulation immediately," Sharma said.
In a Chinese-language statement Thursday, the publisher attributed the "inappropriate descriptions" to editorial errors, stating that they were at odds with the "original intention to actively promote the beautiful scenery of London".
https://www.yahoo.com/news/british-mp-hits-racist-air-china-london-tips-011816101.html
A number of other news sources are carrying the story, with varying degrees of indignation.
CNBC has coverage including an image of the offending text.
Additional Coverage:
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/08/air-chinas-magazine-says-media-readers-misinterpreted-london-travel-advice.html
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/07/air-chinas-safety-tips-for-london-visitors-may-raise-eyebrows.html
(Score: 5, Insightful) by jmorris on Sunday September 18 2016, @06:48AM
I suspect they, like most of the world's media, didn't want to speak the actual truth and ended up being racist. Kinda like the Beeb will never say "Muslim" when talking about the latest sploddy dope, it is always "Asian men" or some euphemism people have learned to read the PC code to understand. They should have just said to avoid the "Londonistan" areas. If you see burkas and beards, reverse course. What is the common thread here? What makes some parts of London dangerous? It isn't race, it is religion. Doubt it is the Hindus from India who they meant to warn people away from, if you take my meaning.
Now here in the U.S. the similar warnings would be mostly race based. Stay outta the 'hood' and the 'barrio' areas, especially after dark, if you are a rich tourist type visiting from anywhere, foreign or domestic. This just is, it isn't racist either, it is simply the sort of common sense it is a courtesy to inform visitors of.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 18 2016, @04:59PM
> It isn't race, it is religion. Doubt it is the Hindus from India who they meant to warn people away from, if you take my meaning.
Is your meaning that christian nations have over twice the murder rate of muslim nations? [violentdeathproject.com] Or does pointing that out trigger you?