Danish coronavirus flag cartoon sparks outrage in Beijing

Jyllands-Posten newspaper defends decision with prime minister on its side

20200129N Danish cartoon

A satirical cartoon by Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten has sparked controversy in China. © Reuters

YASUO TAKEUCHI, Nikkei staff writer

BRUSSELS -- China has demanded an apology from Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten for publishing a satirical cartoon of the new coronavirus, though the paper is standing by its decision.

The cartoon, published Monday, replaced the yellow stars in China's national flag with yellow virus particles. The image is "an insult to China" and crossed the "ethical boundary of free speech," the Chinese Embassy in Denmark said the day it was published.

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