Refer China: US tennis player apologizes over controversial CN dishes comment

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US tennis player Taylor Townsend apologizes after posting a controversial video on Chinese food during the # BillieJeanKing Cup in Shenzhen, saying she respects cultural differences. Photo: Courtesy of Taylor Townsend personal account

11US tennis player Taylor Townsend apologizes on Wednesday after posting a controversial video on Chinese food on her overseas social media account about her dining experience at the athletes' hotel during the Billie Jean King Cup underway in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province.

In the video published on Sunday, she said, "I'm honestly just so shocked at what I saw at the dinner buffet," and shared a photo showing that the chef's recommendations included two dishes: raised soft-shelled turtle with fish maw and dry pot bullfrog. She captioned it: what the hell…turtle and bullfrog is WILD.

"All in all, I got to give this like a solid 2 out of 10 so far," she concluded.

She also mentioned other items available, including sliced up chicken gizzards, hearts and lungs, which she said she thought were "crazy."

The video was quickly shared among Chinese netizens. Some users on Xiaohongshu, or RedNote commented that she should "do some research," adding that she could have expressed her hesitation to try the dishes in a more friendly way.

It's worth noting that soft-shelled turtle with fish maw and bullfrogs are common dishes found on Chinese dinner tables, especially in Central China's Hubei Province and Southwest China's Sichuan Province. According to local netizens, usually the turtles and bullfrog used in the dishes are farmed, not wild-caught.

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China's Law on the Protection of Wildlife clearly stipulates which wild animals are protected and which animals can be legally farmed, according to Xinhua News Agency.

By 7 am on Sunday, Townsend's original video and related images had disappeared from her social media, replaced by a new video in which she issued an apology.

"I just wanted to come on here and apologize sincerely from the bottom of my heart. I understand that I'm so privileged as a professional athlete to be able to travel all around the world and experience cultural differences, which is one of the things that I love so much about what I do," she said.

She added, "I had nothing but the most amazing experience and time here, and the tournament and everyone has been so kind and so gracious and things that I've said were not representative at all, and I truly want to apologize."

She also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent her country, and that "there's no excuse, and for me, I will do better."

However, some netizens questioned her sincerity, commenting that "she apologized a lot, but she didn't mention what she truly apologized for," making the video feel like a possible response crafted after a potential USTA public relations advice.

Others also reminded her to "respect cultural differences," pointing out that the dishes were part of a buffet and not individually ordered for her at the table.

Source:

Editor: Crystal H

Refer China

US tennis player apologizes over controversial CN dishes comment

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