koh ewe
BBC News, Singapore
Reuters
After the image caused a turmoil among Chinese social media users, Swiss watchmaker Swatch pulled an ad for a model to him after he was turmoiling with Chinese social media users.
Commentators say poses with racists “tilted eyes” historically used to mock Asians.
As advertising becomes more popular, calls for a range of color palette products have grown on Chinese social media.
Swatch said it has “noted recent issues with model portrayal”.
“We sincerely apologize for any trouble or misunderstanding,” the company said in a statement Saturday.
“What we most importantly treat this matter and immediately deleted all relevant materials around the world.”
But the apology failed to appease the critics.
A Weibo user said that the color palette is “just afraid of its profits.” “You can apologize, but I won't forgive.”
Another Weibo user said: “They make money from us and still dare to discriminate against Chinese people. If we don't boycott China, we will undoubtedly have a doubt.”
Swatch
After the ad became popular, Chinese consumers called for boycott of color palette products
According to Reuters News Agency, Swatch received about 27% of its revenue from China, Hong Kong and Macau, amid the slowdown in the country.
The company also produces Omega, Longines and Pstsot watches.
In recent years, Chinese consumers have organized abusive against threats to their culture or to national interests.
In 2021, they expressed concern about alleged human rights violations in Xinjiang province following widespread boycotts of global fashion brands such as H&M, Nike and Adidas.
Last year, some people tried to boycott Uniqlo in Japanese clothing stores after the company said it had not acquired cotton from Xinjiang.
Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana was also the target of this boycott in 2018, after it released a video showing a Chinese model of eating Italian food clumsily using Chopsticks. Its products were drawn from Chinese e-commerce websites, and the brand canceled its Shanghai fashion show because critics say the ad portrays Chinese women in a stereotypical and racist way.