During a recent concert in Henan province, Central China, Taiwanese singer Rainie Yang Cheng-lin made a comment that ignited a wave of backlash on social media. Addressing the audience, she remarked that people from Henan are “famous for loving and cheating people.” This statement, which Yang later acknowledged as an “offensive and impolite joke,” led to an immediate and widespread reaction online.
The incident occurred on December 9 when Yang, unable to see a screen that displayed a kissing couple from the audience, encouraged the crowd to wave their glow sticks. It was after this interaction that she made the controversial statement. Within 24 hours, realizing the gravity of her words, Yang issued an apology on her official Weibo account, expressing regret for her insensitive joke.
This isn’t the first time Yang has faced public criticism for her remarks. About two decades ago, she sparked controversy by inaccurately claiming that the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression lasted “only eight years.” However, in recent years, she regained popularity in mainland China, particularly after marrying singer-songwriter Li Ronghao from Anhui province.
Yang’s incident sheds light on a larger issue of regional stereotyping in China, particularly against people from Henan province. Henan residents have historically faced discrimination and stereotyping, often being the subject of derogatory jokes. This negative portrayal isn’t limited to individual comments but has also appeared in mainstream media. For instance, in 2017, a sketch in China Central Television’s Spring Festival Gala featuring a phone scammer with a Henan accent sparked outrage. The scriptwriter later took responsibility, explaining that he used his own dialect for the dubbing.
The backlash against Yang’s comment reflects a growing intolerance for regional discrimination in China. Online platforms like Zhihu have seen discussions about this prejudice, with many pointing out that it often targets the economically disadvantaged or migrant workers, who are numerous in Henan.
Social media reactions to Yang’s comment were predominantly negative, with users expressing their disapproval of such stereotyping. One Weibo user commented, “The joke is not funny at all. No one likes to hear bad comments about their hometown,” while another stated, “The stereotype about Henan is outdated and discriminative, and should never appear in a public speech.”
Yang’s quick response to apologize reflects a heightened awareness of the impact of public figures’ statements on sensitive regional issues. The incident underscores the ongoing challenge of addressing and overcoming deep-rooted stereotypes in a rapidly evolving society.
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