By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Philippines has vehemently condemned China Daily’s AI-generated video depicting Filipinos as monkeys, labeling the imagery as “racist,” “offensive, distressing, and unacceptable.” This strong denouncement signals a firm stance against dehumanizing propaganda, especially in light of heightened tensions in the South China Sea. The video, released on the anniversary of a landmark arbitral ruling against China’s claims, showed a monkey in Filipino attire being manipulated by US and Japanese symbols, ultimately being thrown into the sea. Philippine officials denounced the propaganda as a “disgrace” and an exposure of China’s “moral and intellectual bankruptcy.”
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The Philippines has quite rightly demanded the removal of a video produced by Chinese state media that depicts Filipinos as monkeys. This is a deeply offensive and racist portrayal, and it’s completely understandable why the Philippine government and its citizens would be outraged. Such imagery is not only demeaning but also harkens back to historical racist tropes used to dehumanize and oppress people of color, which is frankly unacceptable in this day and age.
It’s disappointing that a state-controlled media outlet would resort to such base and discriminatory tactics. In a world striving for greater understanding and mutual respect between nations, this kind of propaganda serves only to sow discord and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. It’s a stark reminder that when we talk about countries competing on the global stage, especially in areas like artificial intelligence, the quality of the content produced, and the underlying sentiment, speaks volumes. This video, frankly, is just cringeworthy and a terrible way to win friends or influence anyone positively.
The incident also highlights deeper issues that have been brought up, namely that China faces its own internal struggles with colorism and classism. When a nation’s official media engages in such overtly racist depictions of another population, it sadly reinforces the idea that associating closely with such a government might not be the wisest path forward for fostering genuine friendship and cooperation. The goal of building positive international relations is undermined when one party resorts to such dehumanizing tactics.
Furthermore, this incident raises questions about the concept of “soft power.” True soft power comes from cultural influence, shared values, and mutual respect, not from denigrating other nationalities. One wonders if the creators of this video understand the basic principles of how to gain respect and build positive relationships internationally. The use of racist caricatures is the antithesis of soft power; it’s a blunt instrument of intimidation and disrespect.
The response from some quarters, suggesting that “we are all monkeys” as a justification or deflection, is also deeply problematic. This kind of equivalence trivializes the specific racist intent behind the video and ignores the historical context and power dynamics at play. It’s a lazy and dismissive argument that fails to address the core issue of racial prejudice. The comparison itself is flawed, and it’s crucial to recognize when a slur is being used and why.
While some have pointed to past social media posts from Filipino officials depicting Chinese people, it’s important to differentiate between individual political rhetoric and state-sponsored propaganda that uses dehumanizing animalistic imagery. Even if retaliatory or provocative statements have been made in the past by any officials on any side, that does not excuse or justify a state media outlet employing overtly racist caricatures. The scale and intent are vastly different. Retaliation, even if it occurs, should not descend into the realm of racist propaganda.
It’s also worth noting the broader geopolitical context surrounding this incident. The South China Sea ruling anniversary, and the varying degrees of ASEAN nations’ stances on it, have been brought up. While regional dynamics and competing territorial claims are complex, they should never be an excuse for resorting to racist depictions of any nationality. The fact that some nations might have better relations with China does not grant them a free pass to ignore or condone racist behavior.
The argument that Western media focuses disproportionately on China-Philippines disputes while ignoring other regional conflicts is a separate issue that warrants discussion, but it doesn’t negate the racism displayed in the video. The media’s portrayal of international relations is often subject to scrutiny, and readers certainly have a responsibility to be skeptical and seek out diverse sources. However, the validity of reporting on a specific racist incident does not depend on whether every other potential conflict is equally covered.
Ultimately, the demand by the Philippines for the takedown of this racist video is a principled stand against prejudice and dehumanization. It’s a crucial reminder that while international relations can be complex and fraught with competing interests, there are lines that should never be crossed, and racist imagery is undeniably one of them. The hope is that this strong condemnation will lead to accountability and a greater commitment to respectful communication between nations.