This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-31142819

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Argentine president's tweet on Chinese accent ridiculed Argentine president's tweet on Chinese accent ridiculed
(about 4 hours later)
Many twitter users in Argentina and China have ridiculed Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner for poking fun at how the Chinese speak.Many twitter users in Argentina and China have ridiculed Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner for poking fun at how the Chinese speak.
During a visit to China, Ms Fernandez made reference to how some Chinese struggle to pronounce the letter "r".During a visit to China, Ms Fernandez made reference to how some Chinese struggle to pronounce the letter "r".
Tweeting in Spanish, she wondered whether those at an event about trade were there for "lice" and "petloleum".Tweeting in Spanish, she wondered whether those at an event about trade were there for "lice" and "petloleum".
Her supporters said it was a light-hearted joke, but others disagreed.Her supporters said it was a light-hearted joke, but others disagreed.
"Cristina Fernandez's lack of tack and respect is incredible," wrote @FaundezLafarga. "She goes to China looking for (economic) agreements and she makes fun of their accents." "Cristina Fernandez's lack of judgement and respect is incredible," wrote @FaundezLafarga. "She goes to China looking for (economic) agreements and she makes fun of their accents."
Financial Times' journalist @GuyChazan wrote: "Faux pas in China. Really, this sort of joke went out of fashion in the 70s."Financial Times' journalist @GuyChazan wrote: "Faux pas in China. Really, this sort of joke went out of fashion in the 70s."
Trending topicTrending topic
President Fernandez suggested that the Chinese struggled to pronounce "rice", "petroleum" and "Campora", the Spanish name given to the youth wing of her political party.President Fernandez suggested that the Chinese struggled to pronounce "rice", "petroleum" and "Campora", the Spanish name given to the youth wing of her political party.
"More than 1,000 participants at the event... Are they all from the Campola and in it only for the lice and petloleum?" she tweeted."More than 1,000 participants at the event... Are they all from the Campola and in it only for the lice and petloleum?" she tweeted.
It was a play on a domestic political joke: her critics accuse her supporters of attending party events only so they can get a free sandwich and a soft drink.It was a play on a domestic political joke: her critics accuse her supporters of attending party events only so they can get a free sandwich and a soft drink.
The president, a prolific Twitter user, later added: "Sorry. You know what? The levels of ridiculousness and absurdity are so high that they can only be digested with humour."The president, a prolific Twitter user, later added: "Sorry. You know what? The levels of ridiculousness and absurdity are so high that they can only be digested with humour."
The BBC's Ignacio de los Reyes in Buenos Aires said that Campola and China became trending topics on Twitter in Argentina and that episode filled the front pages of all newspapers.The BBC's Ignacio de los Reyes in Buenos Aires said that Campola and China became trending topics on Twitter in Argentina and that episode filled the front pages of all newspapers.
Ms Fernandez is in China to boost trade with Argentina.Ms Fernandez is in China to boost trade with Argentina.
There's been no official response from her Chinese hosts. There has been no official response from her Chinese hosts.