"We cannot stress enough the impact scenes like these wear African and Afro-diasporic communities living in China," one group said.
TODAY NEWS — Chinese state TV included dancers in blackface portraying Africans during a national broadcast as Asia welcomed the year of the Ox Friday with subdued festivities amid travel curbs to contain renewed coronavirus outbreaks.
The "African Song and Dance" performance came at the beginning of the Spring Festival Gala, or "Chunwan," one among the world's most-watched TV programs. It included Chinese dancers in African-style costumes and dark face makeup beating drums.
The five-hour annual program, which state TV has said within the past is viewed by as many as 800 million people, also included tributes to nurses, doctors et al. who fought the coronavirus pandemic that began in central China in late 2019.
China's ruling Communist Party tries to market a picture of unity with African nations as fellow developing economies. But state broadcaster China Central Television has faced criticism over using blackface to depict African people in previous New Year broadcasts.
On Twitter, Black Livity China, a g"We cannot stress enough the impact scenes like these wear African and Afro-diasporic communities living in China," one group said.
TODAY NEWS — Chinese state TV included dancers in blackface portraying Africans during a national broadcast as Asia welcomed the year of the Ox Friday with subdued festivities amid travel curbs to contain renewed coronavirus outbreaks.
The "African Song and Dance" performance came at the beginning of the Spring Festival Gala, or "Chunwan," one among the world's most-watched TV programs. It included Chinese dancers in African-style costumes and dark face makeup beating drums.
The five-hour annual program, which state TV has said within the past is viewed by as many as 800 million people, also included tributes to nurses, doctors et al. who fought the coronavirus pandemic that began in central China in late 2019.
China's ruling Communist Party tries to market a picture of unity with African nations as fellow developing economies. But state broadcaster China Central Television has faced criticism over using blackface to depict African people in previous New Year broadcasts.
On Twitter, Black Livity China, a gaggle for people of African descent who add or with China, called the printed "extremely disappointing." It noted CCTV's 2018 Spring Festival Gala, which featured performers in blackface with a monkey.
"We cannot stress enough the impact scenes like these wear African and Afro-diasporic communities living in China," the group said.
Festivities for the vacation, normally East Asia's busiest tourism season, are muted after China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and other governments tightened travel curbs and urged the general public to avoid big gatherings following renewed virus outbreaks.
Elsewhere in China, Buddhist and Daoist temples that are usually full of holiday worshippers were closed. Streets in major cities were largely empty.
Visitors gathered outside the locked gates of the Lama Temple on Beijing's side to burn incense and pray.
Ji Jianping, who wore a jacket and red mask, the normal color of excellent fortune, said she and her family skipped visiting their hometown within the northern province of Shanxi thanks to the pandemic.
"I wish for safety and health, also as happiness for my family," said Ji, 62.
angle for people of African descent who add or with China called the printed "extremely disappointing." It noted CCTV's 2018 Spring Festival Gala, which featured performers in blackface with a monkey.
"We cannot stress enough the impact scenes like these wear African and Afro-diasporic communities living in China," the group said.
Festivities for the vacation, normally East Asia's busiest tourism season, are muted after China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and other governments tightened travel curbs and urged the general public to avoid big gatherings following renewed virus outbreaks.
Elsewhere in China, Buddhist and Daoist temples that are usually full of holiday worshippers were closed. Streets in major cities were largely empty.
Visitors gathered outside the locked gates of the Lama Temple on Beijing's side to burn incense and pray.
Ji Jianping, who wore a jacket and red mask, the normal color of excellent fortune, said she and her family skipped visiting their hometown within the northern province of Shanxi thanks to the pandemic.
"I wish for safety and health, also as happiness for my family," said Ji, 62.
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