China's media hurls racist slur at departing U.S. envoy

 

A Chinese state media outlet used a racist slur to criticise departing U.S. ambassador Gary Locke in an insulting commentary which even blamed him for Beijing's notorious pollution.

The 64-year-old became the first ethnic Chinese in the post when he was appointed in 2011, going on to gain quasi-celebrity status for his modest style and for drawing attention to China's unhealthy skies.

But Locke, who left his role on Saturday, received a highly undiplomatic sendoff from the China News Service in a sneering editorial which referred to him as a "banana", and a "guide dog" for helping a blind activist.

"He is a banana with yellow skin and a white heart", Friday's article opened by saying, calling Locke's ethnicity a ploy by the U.S. to win Chinese hearts and minds while seeking to kick up trouble in the region.