Chinese envoy: Beijing not behind China Daily's racist 'monkey' video
Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan has denied that the Chinese government directed a state-run media outlet to produce an AI-generated video depicting Filipinos as monkeys. He urged both nations to prioritize diplomatic negotiations over maritime disputes.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the fragile state of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines amidst ongoing territorial tensions.
Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan has distanced the Chinese government from State-run China Daily's controversial AI-generated video depicting Filipinos as monkeys, insisting the publication's content was not directed by Beijing.
"I think our spokesperson said very clearly, it's just the media's action. And it's nothing related to government," Jing told reporters after meeting President Marcos in Malacañan on July 21.
"And there are so many media in China. We cannot ask each media, each video, each article, each paper, you know, to try to control," he added.
The ambassador declined to comment further, saying, "Actually, you know, when we say we don't have comments, that's our position."
Jing nevertheless urged the Philippines and China to continue engaging despite longstanding maritime disputes, saying both countries should prioritize negotiations over confrontation.
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