Germany’s EU commissioner has refused to apologise for describing Chinese people as “slit-eyed” in a speech to businessmen, arguing there is “no scandal” for him to answer for.
Guenther Oettinger told a conference in Hamburg that visiting Chinese CEOs had “Schlitzaugen” (meaning “slit eyes”) and claimed they had “no democracy”.
Publisher Sebastian Marquardt said he began filming the speech after Mr Oettinger spoke about "slit-eyed rascals" determining international trade rules, and posted his video on YouTube.
“Last week, the Chinese ministers were in town for the annual China-EU summit. Nine men, one party, no democracy,” Mr Oettinger continued.
“All of them in dark blue, single-breasted suits. All of them had their hair combed from left to right, with black shoe-polish.”
He also joked about gay marriage becoming “compulsory” under Chancellor Angela Merkel’s liberal government, prompting condemnation from gay rights organisations.
“Everything has been said. There is nothing to apologise for. There is no scandal. It’s the press that has made this a scandal,” Mr Oettinger told EurActiv when asked whether he intended to apologise for his words.
Mr Oettinger previously emphasised the need to see “the overall context” of his speech and agreed his jokes were “a little sloppy”, in an interview with Die Welt.
EU commission president Jean-Claude Juncker promoted Mr Oettinger to be in charge of the EU budget shortly before the speech leaked online, and it was reported the scandal could mean his promotion was reversed.
The commission has so far refused to comment on or investigate Mr Oettinger's comments, with spokesman Margaritis Schinas saying: "We have nothing to add."
Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a news conference: “The remarks reveal a baffling sense of superiority entrenched in some Western politicians.
“We hope that they can learn how to view themselves and others objectively and respect and treat others as equals.”
Mr Juncker and Mrs Merkel should “impose an adequate punishment in the face of this behaviour unworthy of a member of the European Commission”, French activist group SOS Racisme said in a statement.
