Why China Is Reassuring Africa It Isn't Selling Human Meat

Summary

China has denied claims of selling human flesh as canned meat in Africa, following rumors spread by Zambian tabloids. The allegations originated from a Facebook post that suggested China was producing corned beef using dead bodies, supported by misleading photos from a 2012 art installation in London promoting the video game Resident Evil 6. The Chinese ambassador to Zambia condemned the claims as malicious slander and called for an official investigation into the source of the rumor.

Takeaways

• 🌍 China denies rumors of selling cans of human flesh in Africa.
• 📰 The rumors originated from Zambian tabloids and social media posts.
• ⚠️ A Facebook post claimed China was producing corned beef using dead bodies.
• 🖼️ Photos shared in the post were from a 2012 art installation in London.
• 🎮 The installation promoted the video game Resident Evil 6, not real human meat production.
• ❌ There is no truth to the claim of human meat being sold in African supermarkets.
• 😡 A Chinese official expressed outrage, calling the rumors malicious slander.
• 🇨🇳 China's ambassador to Zambia strongly condemned the false accusations.
• 🔍 The Chinese ambassador is calling for an official investigation into the source of the rumor.
• 🗣️ The situation highlights the potential damage of misinformation spread through social media.

Q & A

What did China deny in the statement?

China denied that it was selling cans of human flesh in Africa.

Where did the rumor about China selling human meat originate?

The rumor appears to have originated from a Facebook post.

What specific product was China accused of producing with human bodies?

China was accused of producing corned beef with dead bodies.

Which country was allegedly receiving the human meat, according to the rumors?

Zambia, in Africa, was allegedly receiving the human meat.

What evidence did the rumor include to support the claim?

The rumor included a couple of photos as evidence, but they were later found to be from an art installation in London in 2012.

What was the art installation that the photos originated from promoting?

The art installation was promoting the video game Resident Evil 6.

How did the Chinese ambassador to Zambia respond to the rumor?

The Chinese ambassador to Zambia called the rumor 'completely a malicious slandering and vilification,' and said it was 'absolutely unacceptable.'

What action did the Chinese ambassador to Zambia request?

The Chinese ambassador called for an official investigation into the source of the rumor.

Why do the photos used in the rumor lack credibility?

The photos came from an art installation and were unrelated to the alleged human meat claim, making them unreliable as evidence.

What impact did the rumor have on Chinese officials?

The rumor upset at least one Chinese official, leading to a public response and demands for an investigation.