STATEMENT REGARDING SVT’S “SVENSKA NYHETER” FROM SEPT. 21, 2018

Beijing, 26 Sept. 2018

中国瑞典商会就瑞典SVT电视台讽刺短剧“Svenska Nyheter”栏目于2018年9月21日播出的内容发表以下评论:

该节目播出了描写来瑞典旅游的中国游客的两分钟“信息短片”。因为这部短片含有讽刺性质，中国瑞典商会表示深切关心我们的会员、合作伙伴、 朋友及家人的感受， 因为短片所提供的影像内容负面而极易被视作冒犯，甚至被视为是种族歧视。

作为一个致力于促进中瑞贸易和投资的商业组织，我们对这部“信息短片”的发布感到非常遗憾。例如，瑞典企业是一直被视为极具吸引力的企业雇主，瑞典企业的员工流动率低于平均水平，这主要归功于瑞典高度开放和包容的企业文化。

我们充分认识言论自由的重要性，也尊重个人言论自由，因此，言论发布者理当对他所发表的内容负全部责任。这部短片并不代表瑞典人民对中国人民的看法。

林奇辉 (Lars-Åke Severin)
董事长

冯茂天 (Martin Vercouter)
总经理

The Swedish Chamber of Commerce in China would like to make the following comments regarding the satirical segment “Svenska Nyheter” that aired on the Swedish television channel SVT on September 21, 2018:

The show in question contains a two-minute “Information Film” for Chinese tourists travelling in Sweden. While this film is intended to be satirical, we are deeply concerned about the image it provides to members, partners, friends and families in the Chinese community since it contains negative stereotypes in a manner that can easily be seen as offensive or even racist.

We find this “Information Film” highly regrettable, and not representative of the views that the Swedish people hold of the Chinese people. Swedish companies, for example, are highly attractive employers, boasting a lower-than-average employee turnover due in particular to their open and inclusive culture.

We fully recognize the importance of upholding the freedom of speech, and free expression of individuals. As such, it should be recognized that the responsibility for the content lies with its producer alone.

Sincerely,

Lars-Åke Severin
Chairman of the Board

Martin Vercouter
General Manager