'I'm Not Chinese' T-shirt Slogan Sparks 'Anger' Among Chinese Netizens...Racial Discrimination Controversy Ensues

"Accused of Inciting Racism and Separatist Behavior" Criticism

A T-shirt with the phrase "I am not Chinese" has appeared on Twitter, sparking controversy over racial discrimination. Photo by Global Times capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads worldwide, T-shirts bearing the phrase "I am not Chinese" have appeared in some regions such as Europe, sparking controversy over racial discrimination. This is because anti-China sentiment has been growing in some Western countries due to the impact of COVID-19.

On the 7th, China's state-run Global Times reported that several photos of T-shirts were posted on Twitter recently with the caption "Clothing for Asians to protect themselves."

The T-shirts shown in the photos have phrases such as "I am not Chinese," "I am not Chinese but Taiwanese," and "I am Asian but not Chinese."

In particular, these T-shirts were known to have been sold at an overseas clothing online store before the COVID-19 outbreak. It is also reported that they have recently spread online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As this content spread online, Chinese netizens criticized it, saying it "could encourage racial discrimination and separatist behavior amid the COVID-19 crisis."

The Global Times pointed out, "With the global spread of COVID-19, Chinese people living abroad are suffering from the double burden of infection concerns and racial discrimination," adding, "Such tweets pour fuel on the fire of racial discrimination."