How does China use nationalism in international brand controversies? And where are its limits?
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January 26, 2021
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In mid-January, comedian Uncle Roger apologized to Chinese netizens for hosting a video with Mike Chen of Strictly Dumpling, a China critic who had spoken out against the state’s treatment of its Uyghur minorities and the Hong Kong national security law. Also recently, YouTuber Hamji was disparaged by Chinese internet users for giving a thumbs-up to a comment that said China had wrongly claimed kimchi and ssam – both well-known Korean dishes – as their own. In another incident late last year, Chinese netizens called for a boycott of the show “Running Man” for allegedly depicting Taiwan as a separate country from China on a game board. And the list of controversies goes on.
January 19, 2021
Malaysian comedian and YouTube star Nigel Ng as Uncle Roger.
Nigel Ng
Malaysian comedian Nigel Ng has said he makes “zero dollars from Chinese social media” after coming under fire for pulling from the internet a video featuring another YouTube star who has been vocal in his criticism of the Chinese government.
Critics had accused Ng – best known for his Uncle Roger character , seen in several YouTube videos – of bowing to pressure from China last week after a video he made with vlogger Mike Chen from the Strictly Dumpling channel disappeared from his YouTube channel.
In a new video posted to YouTube on January 16, Ng is seen dressed as his alter ego Uncle Roger and saying: “I hate drama … I just want to make funny videos.
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Alex Lo has been a Post columnist since 2012, covering major issues affecting Hong Kong and the rest of China. A journalist for 25 years, he has worked for various publications in Hong Kong and Toronto as a news reporter and editor. He has also lectured in journalism at the University of Hong Kong.
Comic removes Uncle Roger video over collaborator s political thoughts and incorrect remarks about China
Nigel Ng has found himself at the centre of a censorship row after removing a video collaboration with a YouTuber critical of the Beijing regime.
The British-based comedian, who has found global online fame with his Uncle Roger persona, issued an apology on Chinese social media for working with Mike Chen, a popular food YouTuber and vocal campaigner against China’s ruling Communist Party.
In his statement on the Weibo platform, Ng said: ‘It has come to my understanding this video has made a bad social impact.