Canadian mobile game denounced as racist to Chinese

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A Canadian mobile game developer has been accused of racism by the Chinese community after announcing a new app called “Dirty Chinese Restaurant."

The game simulates what it's like to operate a restaurant. In it, players assume the role of Wong Fu killing stray dogs to serve customers, running the business like a "sweatshop," employ illegal immigrants and compete with rivals through dishonest practices including tax evasion.

Screenshot from the game trailer

The game has not launched yet, but is expected to hit the global market through the Apple Store and Google Play soon.

Game developer Big-O-Tree Games based in Toronto defended the content as satire and comedy, but the Chinese community refuses to accept that answer.

According to The China Press in New York, local resident Chen Jialing said he would file complaints to the Office of the Prime Minister in Canada to prevent the launch of the game.

“The game is targeted to children and teenagers, which content will leave misconception towards the Chinese. They would think Chinese restaurants cook with cats and rats. It is total racism. There is no education meaning at all,” said Chen.

Screenshot from the website of China's consulate- General in Toronto

China’s Consulate-General in Toronto on Saturday strongly condemned the developer’s irresponsible and discriminatory behavior of making the game full of discrimination against the Chinese.

It also demanded the company to immediately stop developing and selling the game, remove it from the internet, and make a formal public apology.

Screenshot from Grace Meng's Facebook page

New York congresswoman Grace Meng has urged all platforms not to carry the game. In her Facebook post, she says the game "uses every negative and demeaning stereotype that I have ever come across as a Chinese American."

Screenshot from Kathleen Wynne's Twitter page

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne also condemned the game on Twitter saying such racism has no place in Ontario.