The Associated Press is reporting that 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.
In a statement posted on the Web site of the State Administration for Radio, Film and Television officials said that the ad “violates regulations that mandate that all advertisements in China should uphold national dignity and interest and respect the motherland’s culture”.
The commercial, which Nike titled “Chamber of Fear,” was reportedly broadcast on local Chinese stations and on state television’s national sports channel before being pulled last month. It shows James in a video game-style setting defeating the kung fu master, two women in traditional Chinese attire and a pair of dragons, considered a sacred symbol in traditional Chinese culture.
“It also goes against rules that require ads not to contain content that blasphemes national practices and cultures,” said the Web posting. “The ad has received an indignant response from Chinese viewers.”
The AP said a Shanghai-based spokesman for Nike, Inc. said the company had no response except to say that it “respected the government’s decision.”
