China demands apology from Jutland Post for satire drawing

China demands a public apology from the Jyllands-Posten for satirical drawing of China’s flag. 

This is what the Chinese embassy said in a press release delivered to the local newspaper.

The Chinese are upset over a drawing in Monday’s edition.

The cartoonist Niels Bo Bojesen in the drawing has replaced China’s five yellow stars with the coronavirus.

Jyllands-Posten’s editor-in-chief, Jacob Nybroe, emphasizes that the newspaper could never “dream of” making fun of the situation in China, where coronavirus has demanded over 100 deaths so far, and the authorities are struggling to avoid proliferation.

And he continues.

“We can’t apologize for something we don’t think is wrong. We have no intention of demeaning or mocking, nor do we think the drawing does. As far as I can see, there are two different forms of cultural understanding here, ”he says.

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Denmark, CCCD, is also critical of the drawing. That’s what John Liu says. She is the Secretary General of the CCCD.

“I respect the freedom of speech, but I deeply agree that the freedom should be based on respect, understanding and consideration for others. I don’t see the point or humor from Bojensen’s caricature of our National flag. On the contrary, his action clearly shows ignorance, indignity and lack of sympathy! Under the circumstances of coronavirus, everyone in China is united and fighting against it. As well as many other countries are sympathetic and doing their best to support and help. Bojensen is not asked to help us, but at least as a human being, show respect to all the people who lost their life or are suffering from the disaster. Bojensen’s action has truly hurt all Chinese’s heart. We unanimously believe that Niels Bo Bojesen should apologize for his inappropriate action as well as Jyllands-posten should apologize for their lack of consideration.”

Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, will not deal directly with the Chinese demand for an apology from the Jutland Post, but points out that in Denmark there is freedom of speech.

“I just want to say that on the Danish side and on the part of the government, we can only say that we have freedom of expression in Denmark – same goes for drawings.”

But the drawing is now everywhere, news outlets are reporting about this case and even the people from China are taking the side of Jyllands Posten.