"Unexpected Tongue Sticking Out and Underwear Exposure"... Controversy Over Illustrations in Chinese Elementary School Textbooks

Illustrations featured in Chinese elementary school textbooks have sparked controversy.
[Photo by Weibo capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Illustrations featured in Chinese elementary school textbooks used over the past decade have recently sparked controversy online.

According to Yonhap News on the 28th, the controversy began when a Chinese netizen pointed out on social media that the expressions of children in illustrations from the 2013 revised edition of the elementary math textbook published by the People's Education Press looked strange.

The netizen noted that the children in the illustrations were bizarrely sticking out their tongues or had unusually wide spaces between their eyes.

As other netizens sympathized and began to find additional inappropriate illustrations in the textbook, the controversy grew larger.

Additionally, the textbook contained several illustrations that appeared to depict sexual harassment, such as a girl playing rubber band jumping with her underwear exposed, or a boy hugging a girl from behind. There was even an illustration of a boy feeding chicks that emphasized his private parts, further fueling the controversy.

Moreover, illustrations showing the Chinese Five-star Red Flag drawn upside down or some children wearing clothes reminiscent of the U.S. flag, the Stars and Stripes, drew accusations of ideological infiltration.

Illustrations featured in Chinese elementary school textbooks have sparked controversy.
[Photo by Weibo capture]

Netizens pointed out that such illustrations could instill wrong ideas in children. They expressed anger especially over the fact that the problematic textbooks had been left unattended for 10 years. They strongly criticized both the publisher and the educational authorities who approved the textbooks.

In response, the publisher announced on the 26th that they would redraw the illustrations in the textbooks. The Chinese Ministry of Education also released a statement the following day, saying that the publisher would immediately form a dedicated team to produce new illustrations so that the new textbooks could be used starting this fall semester. They also promised to establish a team including experts to conduct strict reviews.

However, the controversy continues. Even state media and conservative commentators have joined in, calling for a thorough investigation and punishment of those responsible.

The People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, wrote, "Textbooks contain truth, the nation, and the soul," adding, "Every word and illustration must be meticulous and adhere to high standards and strict requirements." They emphasized, "Matters related to children concern the education of the next generation and are not trivial."

Former Global Times Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijin, a well-known conservative commentator in China, also commented, "The issue with the textbook illustrations is something anyone would be outraged by," and said, "Since these illustrations are unacceptable morally and culturally, I support a strict investigation and handling of the matter."