Chinese state TV has once again been criticised for portraying blackface during their Chinese New Year gala.
Welcoming in the Year of the Ox, the broadcast showed dancers in blackface portraying Africans during the ‘African Song and Dance’ performance.
Chinese dancers were seen in African-style costumes and dark makeup while beating drums.
Presented by CCTV channel, the five-hour annual program had previously attracted 800 million viewers.
Black Livity China – a group that supports Africans working in China – described the broadcast as “extremely disappointing” on Twitter.
“Blackface once again at the Spring Festival Gala on CCTV – not the first time, and extremely disappointing to see,” the group tweeted.
“We cannot stress enough the impact scenes such as these have on African and Afro-diasporic communities living in China.”
In 2018, CCTV was criticised for blackface during the same Chinese New Year gala. The skit featured an Asian actress in blackface with exaggerated buttocks.
In other news, Simu Liu is marking Chinese New Year 2021 by pledging to empower BIPOC creators and strengthening charities.
Blackface once again at the Spring Festival Gala on CCTV – not the first time, and extremely disappointing to see. We cannot stress enough the impact scenes such as these have on African and Afro-diasporic communities living in Chinahttps://t.co/uNJPEtRAcZ
— Black Livity China (@BlackLivityCN) February 11, 2021
