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Chinese New Year 2018: TV celebration gala sparks outrage as 'racist' performance includes blackface sketch Chinese New Year 2018: TV celebration gala sparks outrage as 'racist' performance includes blackface sketch
(about 2 hours later)
A "racist" performance on China's biggest New Year variety show has caused widespread outrage after a Chinese actor appeared in blackface make up.  A comic performance on China’s biggest New Year variety show has caused widespread outrage after a Chinese actor appeared in blackface make-up, leading to accusations of racism. 
The Spring Festival Gala airs on CCTV - a Chinese television network watched by up to 800 million people worldwide during the annual celebrations.   Aired on Chinese television network CCTV, the sketch was part of the Spring Festival Gala which is said to be the world’s most watched television programme with up to 800 million viewers.
The sketch apparently intended to shine a positive light on the relationship between Africa and China, but many have called it inappropriate and “embarrassing”. The performance was intended to shine a positive light on the relationship between Africa and China – but many have called it inappropriate and “embarrassing”.
It featured an Asian woman in a tribal costume with large fake buttocks and blackface make up. She is carrying a fruit plate on her head and is followed by an actor dressed as a monkey.  It featured an Asian woman in a tribal costume with large fake buttocks and blackface make-up carrying a fruit plate on her head, and followed by an actor dressed as a monkey. 
One Twitter user described the performance as “One thing that ruined my Chinese New Year”, adding: “I feel ashamed for my country thinking that this is okay.” One Twitter user said the performance “ruined my Chinese New Year”, adding: “I feel ashamed for my country thinking that this is okay.”
Another said: “After four hours, China’s New Year Gala has finally found its embarrassing racist groove.”Another said: “After four hours, China’s New Year Gala has finally found its embarrassing racist groove.”
In the controversial skit, the actress in blackface is playing the role of a mother to another woman, who is played by a younger black actress.In the controversial skit, the actress in blackface is playing the role of a mother to another woman, who is played by a younger black actress.
The young woman introduces a man to her, pretending that he is her husband, but the sketch ends with his real bride appearing on stage, in an attempt at comedy. But rather than being annoyed, the woman playing the mother exclaims “I love China”.  The four hour gala also featured dancers dressed in tribal costumes and others representing zebras and gazelles. 
The four hour CCTV New Year Gala, which features a range of vibrant, choreographed performances, is among the most watched shows in the world. 
A dance routine was part of the performance, with dancers dressed in tribal costumes and others representing grassland animals such as zebras and gazelles. 
It is not the first time Chinese TV has faced accusations of racism. It is not the first time Chinese TV has faced accusations of racism. 
An advert for a laundry detergent which aired in China in 2016 sparked widespread outcry. It featured a black man with paint stains on his face being put into a washing machine and emerging as a light-skinned Asian man.  An advert for a laundry detergent which aired in 2016 sparked widespread outcry. It featured a black man with paint stains on his face being put into a washing machine and emerging as a light-skinned Asian man. 
A Chinese programme was also accused of mocking India when a clip in an online chat show called The Spark showed a Chinese actor wearing a Sikh turban and fake beard, putting on a pretend Indian accent.  Online chat show The Spark was accused last year of mocking Indians with a Chinese actor appearing in a Sikh turban and fake beard, and adopting an Indian accent. 
While the use of non-black actors using make up to be appear dark skinned is widely criticised in Europe and the US, dating back to the historic minstrel shows, some claim in China there is less awareness of the offensive connotations of the practice.  While the use of non-black actors using make-up to appear dark skinned is widely criticised in Europe and the US, in China there is less awareness of the offensive connotations of the practice.
Celebrations for Chinese New Year held on 16 February mark the start of the Year of the Dog.