Internet Slams Chinese Ambassador for “Human Carpet” Controversy: "An Epitome of China Trampling on the World"
Controversies surrounding China’s influence in the Pacific were once again brought to the fore when a photograph of the Chinese ambassador to Kiribati Tang Songgen went viral. The photograph shows Tong walking on the backs of 30 of the island nation’s young citizens at a reception.
An island with a population of only around 110,000, Kiribati broke off its diplomatic ties with Taiwan last September and turned to China to establish alliance. Tang, who became China’s ambassador to the country this March, made a visit to the island of Marakei last month. A photograph shows about 30 young people lying face down on the ground to form a “human carpet”, while Tang, escorted by women on both sides, walked on “the carpet”.
The image has caused a stir, as people pointed out that this was a sign of China’s increasing influence in the Pacific and "an epitome of China trampling on the world" even.
Writing on Twitter on 16 August, the US defense attaché in Kiribati Constantine Panayiotou said, “I simply cannot imagine any scenario in which walking on the backs of children is acceptable behavior by an ambassador of any country (or any adult for that matter!) Yet here we are thanks to #China’s ambassador to Kiribati.”
Some netizens from Kiribati said the ceremony was commonplace in their country. At weddings, they noted, the bridegroom’s family members would lie down and let the bride’s family members walk on them. However, a Kiribati-based independent journalist named Rimon reported that locals had expressed outrage upon seeing the photo. “They were angry, discontented and embarrassed,” he said. “Ask anyone on the streets and they’ll tell you how disgusted they are by the incident.” Having served the former Kiribati president Anote Tong, Rimon recalled that a number of Taiwanese ambassadors had visited Marakei before but were never received in such a ceremony.
The Chinese embassy in Kiribati published a statement from Tang on Facebook, which mentioned that he was greeted in accordance to the customs during the visit and that he hoped more I-Kiribati will benefit from the China-Kiribati relations.
Source: Stand News #Aug19
#China #Kiribati #Diplomacy #humancarpet #TangSonggen #Marakei
Controversies surrounding China’s influence in the Pacific were once again brought to the fore when a photograph of the Chinese ambassador to Kiribati Tang Songgen went viral. The photograph shows Tong walking on the backs of 30 of the island nation’s young citizens at a reception.
An island with a population of only around 110,000, Kiribati broke off its diplomatic ties with Taiwan last September and turned to China to establish alliance. Tang, who became China’s ambassador to the country this March, made a visit to the island of Marakei last month. A photograph shows about 30 young people lying face down on the ground to form a “human carpet”, while Tang, escorted by women on both sides, walked on “the carpet”.
The image has caused a stir, as people pointed out that this was a sign of China’s increasing influence in the Pacific and "an epitome of China trampling on the world" even.
Writing on Twitter on 16 August, the US defense attaché in Kiribati Constantine Panayiotou said, “I simply cannot imagine any scenario in which walking on the backs of children is acceptable behavior by an ambassador of any country (or any adult for that matter!) Yet here we are thanks to #China’s ambassador to Kiribati.”
Some netizens from Kiribati said the ceremony was commonplace in their country. At weddings, they noted, the bridegroom’s family members would lie down and let the bride’s family members walk on them. However, a Kiribati-based independent journalist named Rimon reported that locals had expressed outrage upon seeing the photo. “They were angry, discontented and embarrassed,” he said. “Ask anyone on the streets and they’ll tell you how disgusted they are by the incident.” Having served the former Kiribati president Anote Tong, Rimon recalled that a number of Taiwanese ambassadors had visited Marakei before but were never received in such a ceremony.
The Chinese embassy in Kiribati published a statement from Tang on Facebook, which mentioned that he was greeted in accordance to the customs during the visit and that he hoped more I-Kiribati will benefit from the China-Kiribati relations.
Source: Stand News #Aug19
#China #Kiribati #Diplomacy #humancarpet #TangSonggen #Marakei