The article was noticed by journalist Haze Fan, a Beijing-based producer with CNBC.
China’s national carrier Air China has stirred outrage with a racist travel warning in its in-flight magazine targeting “Indians, Pakistanis and black people”.
The magazine ‘Wings of China’ carries a long feature on visiting London, with almost a third of the magazine dedicated to tourist attractions in Britain’s capital and other famous towns. The main article, titled ‘London the city of “hat tricks”,’ covers Brits’ apparent fondness for all kinds of hats.
Then, after a section on transport options and lifestyle and cultural activities in London, ‘Wings of China’ offers some ‘Tips from Air China.”
“London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people,” it advices.
The article was noticed by journalist Haze Fan, a Beijing-based producer with CNBC, who posted an image on twitter.
The article further added, “We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when travelling.”
The advise is at odds with the London promoted by its Mayor Sadiq Khan, a British national with Pakistani parents, who is in July launched a #LondonisOpen campaign and frequently blogs about his favorite places to eat and drink in his South London Indian-Pakistani neighborhood of Tooting.
British MPs have written to the Chinese Ambassador demanding action and an apology.
“This is offensive and I hope AirChina will remove this magazine and apologize immediately,” Virendra Sharma, Labour MP for Ealing Southhall, tweeted.
“I am shocked and appalled that even today some people would see it as acceptable to write such blatantly untrue and racist statements,” he was quoted as saying.
Chinese companies have been criticized previously for their depictions of various races. In May a detergent company caused anger for a television commercial showing a black man pushed into a washing machine and emerging as a “cleaner” Chinese man.
Social Media Update:
A piece of advice in Air China inflight magazine. What does @MayorofLondon think? @CNBCi @SeamusConwell @cnbcSri pic.twitter.com/u7SGfiyuXA
— Haze Fan (@Hazeology) September 6, 2016