A recent incident involving two Japanese tourists and a Chinese influencer at Beijing’s Old Summer Palace has ignited a nationwide discussion about racism, historical knowledge, and the boundaries of patriotism. The confrontation occurred on September 7, when the tourists, accompanied by their Chinese interpreter, were taking photographs at Yuanmingyuan Park, a historic site that was destroyed by British and French troops in 1860.
The confrontation began when a popular influencer known as “Asianman,” who has 326,000 followers on Douyin, refused to step aside for the tourists to take a photo. In a video he filmed, Asianman lashed out at the interpreter for requesting that he move, saying, “As a Chinese, how dare you ask me to give way to Japanese people at the Old Summer Palace?” He accused the interpreter of being a “traitor” and argued that Chinese citizens should not assist Japanese visitors at the site.
As the argument escalated, the Japanese tourists threatened to call the police, but Asianman responded that they had no right to involve the police in China. The group eventually sought assistance from a security guard, who echoed the influencer’s sentiments, claiming that Japanese people were not welcome in the park—a statement later debunked by park staff.
The video of the incident quickly gained traction on social media, drawing mixed reactions. Some defended Asianman’s actions, asserting that he was under no obligation to step aside for tourists. However, many criticized him for using patriotism as a pretext to promote ethnic conflict, with one Weibo user noting, “This is racial discrimination under the guise of patriotism.”
The incident also sparked broader discussions about historical knowledge, as many pointed out that Japan was not involved in the destruction of the Old Summer Palace. Others expressed concern that such actions harm China’s international image, with one commentator saying, “What Asianman did was detrimental to China’s image. His actions do not represent all Chinese people.”
At a press conference on September 9, a Japanese reporter raised concerns with China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, prompting a statement from spokeswoman Mao Ning, who reaffirmed that China does not discriminate against any country.
While Asianman has since deleted the video and his social media accounts, it remains unclear whether he has faced any consequences for his actions.
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