Disney cuts Simpsons’ episode about ‘forced labour’ in Hong Kong

HONG KONG (AP) — Walt Disney Co. has removed an episode from cartoon series The Simpsons that included a reference to “forced labor camps” You can stream it from Hong Kong.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment about why the episode, “One Angry Lisa” from The Simpsons’ 34th season, was not available to stream on the Disney Plus streaming service in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory, according to checks by The Associated Press.

It was broadcast for the first time on October television. However, it is not clear when the episode was removed by the Hong Kong streaming service.

In the episode, Simpsons character Marge Simpson takes a virtual spin class whose instructor is in front of a virtual background of the Great Wall of China and says: “Behold the wonders of China. Bitcoin mines, forced labor camps where children make smartphones.”

Forced labor is a serious issue sensitive in China. After taking control of Hong Kong in 1997 under Communist rule, Beijing has increased its control over the former British colony.

Activists and governments in the West have been accused of committing terrorism for many years. China of imprisoning hundreds of thousands of ethnic minorities — mainly Uyghurs — in the western region of Xinjiang in detention camps. China denies using forced labor in these camps. camps.

China claims that the camps are vocational training centers and education centers for Mandarin Chinese.

China promised Hong Kong that it would maintain its Western-style freedoms in Hong Kong for 50 years following the British’s departure. After massive pro-democracy protests in 2019, Beijing imposed a National Security Law. This raised concerns about a decrease in civil liberties like freedom of speech.

Hong Kong introduced a film-censorship law in 2021. This would allow authorities to ban films considered to be against national security interests. Officials stated at the time that the bill did not cover the regulation of online films.

China is known for censorship of Western television series and films. Chinese censors can delete scenes or ban content that they consider to be incompatible with the Chinese Communist Party’s values.

China has screened The Simpsons several times. According to checks by The AP, clips of the Simpsons can still be found on Chinese video sites, but not the scene from “One Angry Lisa.”