Philippines demands takedown of China Daily 'racist' video against Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs demanded that China Daily take down an AI-generated video depicting Filipinos as monkeys, condemning the Chinese state-run outlet's material on the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award as "blatantly demeaning, dehumanizing, and racist."

In a statement issued late Thursday, July 16, the DFA said the video — posted on China Daily's Facebook account on July 10 — went "beyond legitimate political debate," along with other AI-generated videos and editorial cartoons the outlet has published on the arbitral ruling.

The video uploaded by China Daily included clips of a monkey character wearing what appears to be the Philippine barong. In one part of the clip, the character of the monkey appeared to be blasted by a water cannon.

"We draw a firm line at the depiction of Filipinos as monkeys in the 10 July 2026 video, which is deeply offensive, distressing, and unacceptable," the department said. "Disagreement over legal and political issues does not justify resorting to disturbing imagery, which has no place in the civil public discourse of a responsible state."

Manila demanded the removal of the offensive material, called for "the immediate cessation of such irresponsible content," and urged China to "uphold dignity, respect, and truth in public discourse."

The DFA warned that such imagery and misinformation "only serve to widen the distrust" between the Philippines and China.

The department said the Philippines has consistently rejected false narratives and distortions regarding the Arbitral Award and the country's lawful positions in the South China Sea, but that the monkey depiction crossed a line no legal or political dispute could justify.

The 2016 arbitral award invalidated China's sweeping claims over the South China Sea and upheld the Philippines' rights in its exclusive economic zone.