China Bans Nike Television Commercial

[Christina]

BEIJING - China has banned a Nike television commercial showing U.S. basketball star LeBron James in a battle with an animated cartoon kung fu master, saying the ad insults Chinese national dignity.

Read more here: http://www.yahoo.com/_ylh=X3oDMTEwdnZjMjFhBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEdGVzdAMwBHRtc GwDaW5kZXgtY3Nz/s/222774


My thoughts on this...is that I understand where China is coming from on this view (I'm Chinese!) but they're banning everything....sure...tons of adverts bite off of the asian culture........but just like sex...asian culture sells too! It's some weird affinity that a lot of artists in different industries have seemed to latch onto.....look at all those music videos....movies....and what have you. The asian culture is apparent..in one form or another it seems. I think it's more or less who the icons are...that are used in the adverts...I'm sure if it was Yao Ming they wouldn't care too much yet then again they would because Yao doesn't wanna go back to china :lol:

[the_pm]

First of all, purely from a media experience, the new Lebron commercials are stellar! I think when you use this type of imagery in an entirely foreign context, I can't see it really affecting the culture all that much. If there were such a fusion as a traditional kung fu movie and basketball, it would probably be pretty darned close to those ads! There's a big difference between trying to change, obscure or destroy a culture and paying it reverence through a different type of art, even if it is motivated purely by economics. I can only imagine how advertisements outside of the US make fun of American culture. I think it would be a hoot to see some of those!

[Christina]

China is just too strict.......my grandparents and older relatives always ask if I want to go visit the homeland...my answer is a simple hell no!! With my luck, some Brokendown Palace episode will happen and I'll be stuck there forever! I've seen some advertising from overseas, yet I can just flick on the chinese channel here and the advertising is literally geared towards the people/way of life. They don't try to shove Biore strips or facewash in your face every time there's a break from a chinese soap opera to go to commercial. The thing is, the chinese culture is and always will be somewhat secluded, most chinese like to be by themselves/left alone...or keep to themselves. Most are very generous, courteous and what not but most of the time just mind their own business. So I guess the government.....communist like it is....is just overstepping that fact...knowing that their own government isn't run for the people but for the country itself.....blah blah blah....on another note, my grandfather on my mothers side trained with shaolin monks when he lived in China..... 8) Even did the hands in the hot sands and all....!

[the_pm]

Really? That's very cool. I'm sure there are a bunch of ignorant youngsters running around the US who would ask for your grandfathers autograph, thinking he was a member of the Wu Tang Clan :lol:

[Christina]

Actually back in the day...he was a member of a chinese gang.....here in San Francisco!!!! Once you're in you're never out though!! He's been living in Detroit with my parents since we moved there when I was 4....so almost 18 yrs! He's a nice old man...who can cook ANYTHING!!!!

[rosschapman]

We're studying this at Uni at the moment.

Cultural imperialism (by America) is a deeply flawed idea - it's the acceptance of American culture that needs to be addressed.

Now China stands as a geolinguistic region, and does not allow western media to invade their culture.

BUT

The Chinese do allow corporations such as Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation to work in the territory - because it provides work and economy.

It says it in the article:

The Chinese television regulator tightened controls over programming in May by prohibiting the use of English words and imported programs that promote "Western ideology and politics."

My personal opinion - well done China! Recently visiting New York, the bombardment of advertising was extrodinary - but fits the culture of the city that never sleeps.

Oh, and I went to the Knicks V Magic game - Magic won thou :(