Chinese state media shows ‘Gundam’ as evidence of Japanese military aggression
Article via Hong Kong Free Press
China’s state broadcaster CCTV was seen using images of manned “mobile suit” robots from Japanese science-fiction franchise Gundam on Tuesday during a programme about alleged Japanese military aggression towards the country.
The programme, Focus Today, invited experts to discuss the threat posed to China by Japanese military expansion. It criticised Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s wish to expand the “right to self-defence” and allow Japan to possess a full military. It also reported media claims that the prime minister had said the military expansion plan was “directly aimed at China.”
During a discussion with a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the programme showed footage of the Japanese military. It included images of Japan’s navy and air forces, which it said were published by Japan’s self-defence force.
Then, in between the footage, the programme showed images of Gundam mecha units.
Netizens wondered if China would see the import of Gundam animes as an act of military aggression by Japan.
