South Park’s creators have mocked China after one of their latest episodes was reportedly banned because it compared President Xi Jinping to Winnie the Pooh.
Creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker issued their “official apology to China” from the South Park Twitter account on Monday.
“Like the NBA, we welcome the Chinese censors into our homes and into our hearts,” the statement read.
“We too love money more than freedom and democracy. Xi doesn’t look just like Winnie the Pooh at all.”
Their statement referenced the recent controversy involving the Houston Rockets of the United States' National Basketball Association.
Last week Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted his support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
“Fight for freedom. Stand with Hong Kong,” he tweeted.
The NBA later issued a grovelling apology in an attempt to hose down Mr Morey’s comments, as furious Chinese sponsors began deserting the league.
“We recognise that the views expressed by Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey have deeply offended many of our friends and fans in China, which is regrettable,” the statement read.
Chinese President Xi Jinping during a ceremony in Beijing marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Source: Kydpl Kyodo
Winnie the Pooh has become a symbol of resistance in China and has been used on social media as a portly comparison to Mr Xi.
Last year's Christopher Robin movie based on AA Milne's popular Winnie the Pooh books was banned by Chinese censors.
South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker issued a less than sincere apology to China. Source: Invision
The South Park episode comparing Xi Jinping to Winnie the Pooh was reportedly blocked on Chinese Internet sites.
