No rash conclusion about 'humiliating' image

The pigtail, or a single plait at the back of a male's head, is a humiliating reminder of a difficult chapter in Chinese history.

Shunzhi, an emperor of the Manchu-dominated Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), ordered all Han men to shave their heads and sport a pigtail in submission. Barbers and executioners were stationed along the streets and those refusing to shave their heads were beheaded on the spot.

While the pigtail is anathema for a Han, one should understand that in many cultures it is natural for men to sport pigtails on their heads. It is just a style and those sporting it mean no offense to any other culture.

That is why one should be cautious before blaming Apple Inc for the promo of a yellow-colored person with a pigtail sporting an Apple Watch on its official website. The brand never referred to that person as being a Chinese person.

Nor did Apple post the image on the websites that cater solely to China, meaning it had no intention of linking the pigtail with China. There is no reason for any Chinese to feel victimized because of the image.

Instead, one should think from the perspective of the person in the image. Some unconfirmed reports said he is an indigenous person who habitually sports the plait.

Should he then forfeit the chance of featuring on Apple's official website because of some groundless suspicion?

On the other hand, Chinese people's patriotism is understandable but it should not be demonized into a force that sweeps through the cultural sector.

In the past, Chinese people have pulled up brands for unfriendly content, such as squinting eyes or ugly makeup on models sporting ancient Chinese elements. Even this time, while some unreasonable voices blamed the person with the pigtail and Apple, there were many clear minds who stopped them.

- Zhang Zhouxiang, China Daily