French Anchor Sparks Outrage Among Chinese Netizens Over 'Pokemon' Racist Remarks

Photo: Weibo capture

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] A French broadcast anchor made a racist remark about Chinese people during a news report, sparking outrage among netizens.

On the 6th, on Weibo (微博, the Chinese version of Twitter), a flood of posts condemned Emmanuel Lecifre, the morning news anchor of France's BFM TV, for his racist remarks and demanded his removal.

During a news report on the national mourning ceremony held across China at 10 a.m. on the 4th to commemorate victims who died from COVID-19, the anchor said, "They are burying Pok?mon." Although it was a whispered comment from a muted microphone, his remark was broadcast and provoked public anger among Chinese people.

The popular animation Pok?mon is an Asian work, and its main character Pikachu is yellow, so in Western countries, it is sometimes used as a racist expression referring to Asians.

The Chinese Embassy in France immediately issued a statement pointing out that the BFM TV anchor made inappropriate remarks about COVID-19 victims. The statement said, "COVID-19 knows no borders. We mourn the victims of COVID-19 in China, France, and around the world. We oppose all forms of racism."

As the controversy grew, the anchor belatedly admitted his "mistake" and apologized through his Twitter account. BFM TV punished the anchor by barring him from appearing on broadcasts for a week. However, netizens’ anger has not subsided.

One Chinese netizen wrote on Weibo, "April 4th was Qingming Festival in China and a national day of mourning for COVID-19 victims. Not only China but countries worldwide grieve the losses caused by COVID-19, yet the French anchor hurt us with a rude joke."

Another netizen criticized, "He is not qualified to be a journalist. The anchor’s racist thoughts and remarks influence many people. He should be removed." French netizens also pointed out on Twitter, "We should pay respect to the victims on the COVID-19 memorial day, but the anchor made inappropriate remarks."