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Zoey Zhang

Two Japanese tourists recently encountered an aggressive confrontation with a Chinese key opinion leader (KOL) while taking photos at the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, igniting a nationwide debate about racism.
Also known as Yuanmingyuan Park, the Old Summer Palace was once one of China’s most magnificent royal gardens until it was devastated by a fire set by invading British and French troops in 1860.
A common claim circulating online suggests that the Eight-Nation Alliance, which included Japan, inflicted further damage on the park in 1900, but historical evidence does not support this assertion.

On September 7, the two Japanese tourists and their Chinese interpreter were taking pictures when their view was obstructed by the Chinese influencer known as Asianman.
Asianman has accumulated 326,000 followers on Douyin by sharing insights into his daily life since returning to China after earning a master’s degree in economics in the UK.
In a video filmed by Asianman, the interpreter can be seen asking him to move aside so that the Japanese tourists can take photos.
“As a Chinese, how dare you ask me to give way to Japanese people at the Old Summer Palace?” Asianman angrily asked.
Asianman asserted that Chinese people should not assist Japanese visitors with their photographs. In defence, the interpreter said that all visitors have the right to take photos, regardless of nationality.
Despite this, Asianman continued to confront them with offensive language, labelling the interpreter a “traitor”. As the tourists and their interpreter attempted to leave, Asianman followed them, filming with his phone.

One of the Japanese tourists threatened to call the police, to which Asianman retorted that Japanese people do not deserve to call the police in China. The group then sought assistance from a security guard at the site to resolve the conflict.
The interpreter explained that the tourists were employees of a Japanese company in China. However, the guard claimed Japanese people were “not allowed” into the Old Summer Palace.
The interpreter said there were no such regulations and the Japanese tourists had entered the park after buying tickets.
“My opinion does not represent the management’s opinion. However, I absolutely do not allow Japanese people to enter,” the security guard said.
He also supported Asianman’s stance, stating: “I hate the Japanese. I must give them a hard time.”
A staff member at the site told Hongxing News that there are no restrictions for Japanese visitors.
The incident quickly made headlines on mainland social media.
One supporter defended Asianman, saying: “He did nothing wrong. No one is obliged to step aside for others to take photos at a scenic spot.”
Many others criticised him, with one Weibo user commenting: “He lacks basic historical knowledge. The destruction of the Old Summer Palace has nothing to do with the Japanese. Even if it did, these tourists did nothing wrong.”
Another wrote: “This is using patriotism as an excuse to incite ethnic conflict, which constitutes racial discrimination.”
“What Asianman did was detrimental to China’s international image. Foreign friends, please be assured that his actions do not represent all Chinese,” said a third.

At a press conference on September 9, a reporter from Japan’s Asahi TV asked the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comments on the matter, noting concerns among Japanese people living in China.
Chinese spokeswoman Mao Ning stated that she was not familiar with the incident and would not comment on personal statements.
“China is an open and inclusive country, and we do not engage in discriminatory practices against any specific country,” Mao said.
As of now, Asianman has deleted the video he posted on social media, and his accounts are no longer accessible online.
It remains unclear whether he has received any warnings or penalties for his actions.


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