China’s ambassador to UK, Liu Xiaoming has been urged by MPs to secure an apology to the residents of London about a racist comment made by Air China in their in-flight magazine. The magazine’s safety guide to London has advised the travellers to avoid the minority areas of the capital city.
A picture of the specific page of the inflight magazine has caused outrage in the social media. The article has got published in the monthly Wings of China magazine. The text has issued a warning for the travellers to London. The text says, “London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people. We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when travelling.”
The Labour MP for Ealing Southall, Virendra Sharma has written to the ambassador about the “blatant racism” from the Chinese airline.
The MP has stated, “I am shocked and appalled that even today some people would see it as acceptable to write such blatantly untrue and racist statements. I have raised this issue with the Chinese ambassador, and requested that he ensures an apology is swiftly forthcoming from Air China, and the magazine is removed from circulation immediately. I have invited representatives of Air China to visit my constituency of Ealing Southall to see that a very multicultural area is safe, and would be of great value for those visiting London to see.”
He has also informed that if the authorities of Air China or the ambassador fail to provide any appropriate response, then he will question whether Air China is a fit company to operate in the UK or not.
The Labour MP for Tooting, Rosena Allin-Khan has stated, “I think it is offensive to all Londoners, not just the ethnic minorities mentioned.”
She has also added, “I am going to be writing to the Chinese ambassador to invite him to visit Tooting in London, where all races live side by side. Then they can see how we live and our wonderfully diverse community.”
One of the spokesperson for the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has informed that the mayor’s office is drafting a statement about the issue.
Apart from Virendra Sharma and Rosena Allin-Khan, Lambeth and Southwark London assembly member, Florence Eshalomi has also invited ambassador Liu to her constituency to show him that London is an international city. She thinks that the airline Air China is doing a disservice to its passengers.
