23 June 2022
A fugitive Chinese national wanted in Malawi for filming children singing racist chants in Chinese has been arrested in neighbouring Zambia, an immigration official said on Monday.
“He was arrested in Chipata, Zambia after fleeing the country through uncharted routes,” Malawi immigration spokesperson Pasqually Zulu said.
Lu Ke is accused of exploiting children in Malawian villages by filming them making racist remarks about themselves, in Chinese phrases they did not understand. He sold the videos on Chinese social media, in a business uncovered last week by the BBC.
“We want him to stand trial in Malawi,” police spokesperson Harry Namwaza said. His country would seek Lu’s extradition.
In one video, a young child, 9, is heard saying: “I am a monster with low IQ.”
In a statement last week, the Chinese embassy in Malawi condemned the acts of racism by one of its citizens.
“It shall be stressed that the Chinese government has zero tolerance for racism,” it said.
Malawi and China have had diplomatic relations since 2008, when Malawi established ties with China over Taiwan.
Since 2000, China has funded 21 development projects, including a $70 million (R1.1 billion) highway linking Malawi and Zambia.
An $80 million loan from the Export Import Bank of China paid to construct a new university, a new parliament building, and a national stadium.