A Hong Kong writer faced criticism yesterday from Philippine politicians and migrant workers after he called the country “a nation of servants” and mocked Manila’s claims to the disputed Spratly Islands.
Chip Tsao wrote in the latest issue of HK Magazine that the Philippine claims to the disputed South China Sea islands were ridiculous in the face of Beijing’s claims of sovereignty.
“As a nation of servants, you don’t flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter,” he wrote.
More than 100,000 Filipinos work in the southern Chinese city of Hong Kong, mostly as low-paid domestic workers.
Tsao wrote in the column that he had given his own maid a harsh lecture, warning her to tell her compatriots that the whole island chain belonged to China if she wanted a pay rise next year.
The column drew a furious response from Filipino groups and politicians.
“Instead of contributing to intelligent discussions on ways to resolve the Spratlys dispute, Tsao only succeeded in eliciting hatred and sowing more confusion,” said Pia Cayetano, chairwoman of the Philippine Senate’s committee on social justice. Gina Esguerra, secretary general of Migrante International, the country’s largest alliance of overseas workers, said the article “smacks of unqualified racial bias that vilifies the hundreds of thousands of Filipinos in Hong Kong and puts them in danger of prosecution and harm.”
Kira Danganan-Azucena, the acting consul-general for the Philippines in Hong Kong, demanded an aplogy.
“Writing satire is one thing. Being sensitive to the sentiments of a certain group of people, especially a group which has become such an important part of Hong Kong society, is another,” she told reporters.
Tsao said he would apologise to the Filipino community if his article had created any misunderstanding or hurt their feelings.
“I am an internationalist and I have nothing against the Philippines. In the column, I have taken a dramatic role to express the sentiment of Chinese nationalism,” he said.
“It’s my usual tongue-in-the-cheek, satirical writing style. People in Hong Kong are not used to this style, but native English speakers would have no problem understanding my message,” he said.
The former BBC reporter said he was surprised his column had generated so much attention.
In a statement, a spokesman for HK Magazine said the piece was satirical but apologised for any offence, and said the publication had been a long-time champion for the rights of Hong Kong’s Filipino workers.
HK Magazine is published by Asia City Publishing Group, which runs free English-language listings and lifestyle titles in several Asian cities. The diplomatic dispute over the Spratlys, believed to sit atop vast mineral and oil deposits, has been renewed after China sent a patrol vessel to the area earlier this month.
The chain of atolls and reefs is also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. AFP
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