Chinese state media continues to criticize Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks concerning Taiwan. CCTV.com released an artificial intelligence (AI) animation short in the Sichuan dialect, saying that 'Troublemaker Takaichi' (高市早苗, pronounced gāoshì zǎomiáo) thinks she can make reckless statements because she is backed by 'Uncle Eagle' (the US), but that 'a lump on the head (having issues with her head) can't be cured even by doctors.'
On the 1st, CCTV.com published an AI-produced Sichuan dialect video titled 'AI Talk | A Lump On the Head That Can't Be Cured' on its website and various social media platforms. The video's cover displays: 'A lump on the head, troublemaker Takaichi,' and the accompanying text states: 'Troublemaker Takaichi thinks she’s protected by Uncle Eagle, spouting wild statements that annoy all the neighbors. Did you get this AI hit drama?'
In this 2-minute, 53-second video, a pelican-like bird character representing 'Troublemaker Takaichi' appears, shouting, 'I just want to stir up trouble,' declaring, ‘I’m not someone to be messed with, I've got Uncle Eagle behind me. Anyone who dares mess with me is going against him.'
The video also appears to mock Takaichi's visits to the Yasukuni Shrine and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, saying, 'That crazy woman (a derogatory term for a shrew) is worshipping that “bird droppings pile” again... fooling ghosts... isn’t that just that “short-lived little sparrow’s” family heirloom from before? At least the others knew to keep a low profile when worshipping, but she just has to act weird.'
At the end of the video, a Kung Fu Panda character representing China passes by, leaving the line: 'A lump on the head, can’t be cured by any doctor,' before the video ends.
Takaichi Sanae’s comments on 'Taiwan’s security' drew a strong backlash from China. On November 12, CCTV's new media outlet 'Yuyuan Tantian' published an article saying Takaichi had become a ‘troublemaker’, and advised 'Troublemaker' Sanae 'not to spit nonsense everywhere', also asking 'Did a donkey kick her in the head?'
On November 23, former Global Times editor-in-chief Hu Xijin posted on Weibo: 'The current struggle with Japan is firm and powerful, but I also noticed that some officially marked accounts, when criticizing Sanae Takaichi and warning the Japanese right wing, used harsh language that could lead to incorrect associations. I think this is improper.'