Chinese vice-premier's gay marriage joke at US summit applauded at home
PUBLISHED : Thursday, 11 July, 2013, 10:14am
UPDATED : Thursday, 11 July, 2013, 10:52am
Related topics
A Chinese government news agency deemed two jokes by Vice-Premier Wang Yang, one on same-sex marriage and one on Rupert Murdoch, so funny that it issued a "special report" on them.
Wang, speaking in Washington on Wednesday at the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, compared the relationship between the two countries to a marriage.
"In China, 'new people' refers to newlywed couples. I am aware that the US allows gay marriage, but I don't think Jacob and I have such intentions," Wang quipped, referring to US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, according to China News Service.
It was the first time Wang and Lew were chairing sessions at the annual summit after the former Guangdong party secretary and the former White House chief of staff rose to their current positions earlier this year.
Wang did not stop there, but continued the unusual improvised stand-up saying that the US and China could not "choose the path of a divorce".
A divorce, "like that of Wendy Deng and Rupert Murdoch, is just too expensive", he said. The state-owned news service duly reported that Wang caused another round of laughter.
His comments come amid a concerted effort by the new Chinese administration to show more self-confidence in their interactions with foreign dignitaries and the public abroad.
Similarly, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was seen roaring with laughter in Germany during his visit in May and President Xi Jinping talked soccer in his speech to the Mexican parliament in June.
"If senior Chinese officials can joke about homosexuality, this shows some progress," said Ah Qiang, a gay rights activist in Guangzhou, in reaction to Wang's same-sex marriage joke. "At least, they have some understanding of gay issues."
"Of course, I hope officials realise that same-sex couples can get married in many US states, but in China it is still illegal for same-sex couples to get married."
Most Popular
Viewed
- 1
![The US president’s move to impose 10 per cent tariffs on US$200 billion of Chinese goods was seen as killing any chance of new talks taking place]( "The US president’s move to impose 10 per cent tariffs on US$200 billion of Chinese goods was seen as killing any chance of new talks taking place")
- 2
![Beijing retaliates with duties on US$60 billion of US goods due to come into effect on Monday]( "Beijing retaliates with duties on US$60 billion of US goods due to come into effect on Monday")
- 3
![European companies operating in the mainland are seriously worried about the impact of the US-China trade war on their operations. Photo: Reuters]( "European companies operating in the mainland are seriously worried about the impact of the US-China trade war on their operations. Photo: Reuters")
- 4
![Luxury vessels, dinghies and other boats of various sizes were battered while yacht clubs were also seriously damaged]( "Luxury vessels, dinghies and other boats of various sizes were battered while yacht clubs were also seriously damaged")
- 5
![Six boats were refused berths at Discovery Bay Marina Club although there was space available, according to owners and a yacht club member]( "Six boats were refused berths at Discovery Bay Marina Club although there was space available, according to owners and a yacht club member")
Shared
- 1
![Cathay Pacific said the error would be fixed. Source: Handout]( "Cathay Pacific said the error would be fixed. Source: Handout")
- 2
![Beijing retaliates with duties on US$60 billion of US goods due to come into effect on Monday]( "Beijing retaliates with duties on US$60 billion of US goods due to come into effect on Monday")
- 3
![The US president’s move to impose 10 per cent tariffs on US$200 billion of Chinese goods was seen as killing any chance of new talks taking place]( "The US president’s move to impose 10 per cent tariffs on US$200 billion of Chinese goods was seen as killing any chance of new talks taking place")
- 4
![Luxury vessels, dinghies and other boats of various sizes were battered while yacht clubs were also seriously damaged]( "Luxury vessels, dinghies and other boats of various sizes were battered while yacht clubs were also seriously damaged")
- 5
![The ‘luxury pig men’ are challenging traditional gender stereotypes, and some commentators believe greater empowerment for women is helping them to do so]( "The ‘luxury pig men’ are challenging traditional gender stereotypes, and some commentators believe greater empowerment for women is helping them to do so")
Commented
- 1
![The US president’s move to impose 10 per cent tariffs on US$200 billion of Chinese goods was seen as killing any chance of new talks taking place]( "The US president’s move to impose 10 per cent tariffs on US$200 billion of Chinese goods was seen as killing any chance of new talks taking place")
- 2
![European companies operating in the mainland are seriously worried about the impact of the US-China trade war on their operations. Photo: Reuters]( "European companies operating in the mainland are seriously worried about the impact of the US-China trade war on their operations. Photo: Reuters")
- 3
![Analysts make their forecasts as newly expanded trade war raises questions about potential risk to Chinese economy]( "Analysts make their forecasts as newly expanded trade war raises questions about potential risk to Chinese economy")
- 4
![Six boats were refused berths at Discovery Bay Marina Club although there was space available, according to owners and a yacht club member]( "Six boats were refused berths at Discovery Bay Marina Club although there was space available, according to owners and a yacht club member")
- 5
![China’s ambassador to Sweden has escalated his response to the treatment of a Chinese family after police said there had been no wrongdoing. Photo: Handout]( "China’s ambassador to Sweden has escalated his response to the treatment of a Chinese family after police said there had been no wrongdoing. Photo: Handout")
You may also like
Show goes on for Steven Chan, HK Phil’s ‘Mr Fixit’ for 40 years
In partnership with: HK Phil
Making the Most of Philanthropy
Brought to you by: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
Comments: