How a children's book became the target of Chinese protests in the Netherlands

A publication distributed in Amsterdam schools contains derogatory comments about Chinese tourists. Activists accuse it of xenophobia. Publisher and city hall apologize. A Dutch children's book has sparked protests and outrage in the Chinese community in the Netherlands due to a passage criticized for being discriminatory and reinforcing negative stereotypes.

The book My Birthday City, a publication commemorating the 750th anniversary of the capital Amsterdam, was distributed to around 30,000 primary school students.

The idea was to celebrate the openness and diversity of the Dutch capital. However, the book includes a game in which, for each space a player lands on, they must perform an action. Players who land on space 42 are given the instruction: "Ni Hao (hello)! Chinese tourists are blocking the cycle path. To avoid them, return to space 39."

For members of the Chinese-Dutch community, the passage reinforces racial stereotypes and portrays the Chinese as an uncomfortable presence in public spaces. Critics also pointed out that the Chinese are the only group portrayed negatively in the book.

Activist Hui-Hui Pan described the content as "racist language in childish language, distributed throughout the city itself."

"What seems like a joke to many is a slap in the face for me and many other Asians in Amsterdam. This is not an innocent phrase," he said.

Controversy sparks protests

The controversy prompted around 100 members and supporters of the Chinese community to gather outside Amsterdam's city hall earlier this month to protest against racism and xenophobia.

Wei Kaiyu, a 35-year-old IT engineer who helped organize the protest, said the demonstration was started by first-generation Chinese immigrants like himself.

He added that the book's official link to Amsterdam, its targeting of children and its reach among young people had sparked strong reactions in the Chinese-Dutch community.

"If you use this format to teach children that discriminating against Chinese, Asians or others is just a joke, what kind of people will they become?"

In Germany, a similar case sparked protests in the Brazilian community this year, when a textbook depicted a Brazilian boy who did not go to school and looked for leftovers in the trash.

Using "Ni Hao" also causes discomfort

The use of the expression "Ni Hao" (a way of saying "hello" in Chinese) caused discomfort. Although it is a common greeting, in Europe it is often used in a derogatory way towards people of Asian origin.

"'Ni Hao' has become an offensive joke," Hui-Hui Pan said. "It's an aggressive way of addressing someone."

The phrase "go back to square 39" has also sparked backlash. In 2013, judge Gordon Heuckeroth of the music show "Holland's Got Talent" mocked a Chinese contestant by asking.

"What number are you going to sing? The number 39 with rice?" he asked the musician, a doctoral student, referring to the order numbers at Chinese restaurants.

After the presentation, he made other derogatory comments about the participant's origins, which generated outrage and calls for his dismissal.

Social networks amplify the debate

In the case of the book, social networks – especially WeChat and RedNote – played a central role in mobilizing the Chinese community.

Huang Qian, an assistant professor of media studies at the University of Groningen, said RedNote's algorithm helps content circulate outside personal bubbles.

She said the case also shows a shift in how the Chinese community deals with racism.

"Today, members of the Chinese community in the Netherlands, especially young students, are more aware of discrimination. They also have the vocabulary and courage to discuss the issue in Dutch society."

Currently, around 100,000 people of Chinese origin live in the Netherlands, including thousands of students.

A study commissioned by the Dutch government last year found that 1 in 2 Chinese people in the country have experienced discrimination.

Amsterdam Mayor reacts to backlash

As the debate around My Birthday City intensified, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, the School Boards Association and the book's publisher met with representatives of the Chinese community.

Halsema called the text "unfortunate and uncomfortable". "This is a moment when many Chinese and other Asians in Amsterdam are drawing a line. Many have faced discrimination for a long time and want to make it clear that this is unacceptable. And I agree with them."

In an emailed response to DW, a spokesperson for the publisher said it "deeply regrets" the damage caused and claimed that the choice of number 39 was accidental.

The publisher announced that it will distribute stickers to correct the passage in copies already delivered, and hopes that the episode "will contribute to raising awareness about discrimination against Chinese-Dutch people."