AFP reports that Honk Kong columnist Chip Tsao (曹捷) offered an apology of sorts for insulting an entire nation.
"English, being a global language, is open to different interpretations by those who come from various cultural backgrounds," Tsao said.
which seems reasonable, until you read what he'd originally written in relation to Manila's claims to the disputed Spratly Islands (南沙群島), also claimed by Beijing (as well as Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei):
"As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter."
Which seems pretty unambiguous. It will be interesting to see what kind of interpretation he manages to squirm out of it.
Especially as he is also reported to have warned his own maid that if she wanted a pay rise next year she should tell her compatriots the Spratlys belong to China.
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