Chinese man arrested in Zambia for child exploitation and production of racist videos
Lu Ke used children in Malawi to make videos for profit. Chinese social media carry videos of Africans sending messages of good wishes, but some have racist content. The case sparked protests in Malawi. Racism is a new area that could wreck relations between China and Africa.
Rome (AsiaNews) – Lu Ke, a Chinese national who used children to make racist videos in Malawi, was arrested in Zambia. He allegedly sold customised videos on Chinese shopping platforms. Malawian authorities had issued an arrest warrant after the BBC investigated the industry.
The incident has created waves in relations between China and Africa. The Chinese embassy in Malawi announced “zero tolerance for racism”.
The suspect filmed children chanting racist sentences in Chinese unaware of their meaning. In one video, a group is seen shouting, "I am a black monster and my IQ is low", and then cheering.
The video sparked outrage in African countries. An undercover BBC journalist got in touch with Lu Ke posing as a potential buyer of the videos.
When he spoke with the reporter, the Chinese man said he did not treat Africans as good friends, that "all black people steal" and that "no matter their family situation, never pity them.”
Lu paid each child only half a dollar a day to shoot even 300 videos. The children, who often skipped school to take part in the videos, said that they were physically abused when the Chinese man was not satisfied with their performance.
Local residents were not aware that the videos were sold for profit. They thought that they were used them to contact charities and get help. They also claim that Lu Ke told them he wanted to spread Chinese culture in Malawi.
Malawian authorities are now trying to get Lu extradited. On Tuesday, university students and human rights groups in Malawi rallied in front of the Chinese embassy in the capital Lilongwe, demanding compensation for Lu's offences.
Videos of Africans have become an industry on Chinese social media. Buyers can pay about US$ 70 for each and then customise the content.
Often, the “actors” are required to repeat greetings and best wishes for birthdays and weddings in Chinese; many videos have racist content and have gone viral, especially on TikTok.
After the affair sparked protests in Malawi, Chinese authorities ordered their removal from the web. Nevertheless, they cast a shadow on China's image in Africa generating feelings of discontent that still simmer.
Last week Wu Peng, director general of the Department of African Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, flew to Malawi and pledged that Beijing to crack down on racial discrimination.
As a result of China’s economic influence, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative, African countries tend to avoid criticising Beijing on human rights and racism issues.
However, as China expands its presence in Africa, and African countries see their debts vis-à-vis Beijing mount, they are becoming increasingly suspicious. Issues associated with racism could pose a new challenge to China's African interests.
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27/09/2011
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