Photo: screenshot of the video uploaded by the vlogger "Abu Batie"

Videos of South Korean tourists pretending to be Chinese while traveling in other countries such as Pakistan and Thailand to enjoy free meals at restaurants have gone viral on Chinese social media, earning condemnations from Chinese netizens.

A vlogger from Pakistan named “Abu Batie,” who produces videos to introduce Pakistan’s tourist attractions and customs on Chinese video sharing platform Bilibili, uploaded a video in early March that quickly attracted the attention of Chinese netizens.

In the video, the vlogger says that there have been a lot of South Korean tourists pretending to be Chinese people while taking tours in Pakistan and then goes on to interview some local residents. 

A commented by one employee at a restaurant in the video sparked discussion on Chinese social media. The Pakistani employee noted that because of the friendly relations between China and Pakistan, Chinese tourists can eat for free at the restaurant.

However, he found that some tourists who ate at the restaurant claimed they are Chinese but could not speak Chinese fluently, and after being questioned, they admitted that they came from South Korea.

The employee said even though he knew they were not Chinese, he still provided the free dinner to them as the treat so they could better understand the friendly relations between China and Pakistan.

It wasn’t just one person who said they had run across South Korean tourists pretending to be Chinese. 
“I can talk with them about Chinese history and culture to tell if they are Chinese people,” another Pakistani resident noted.

Chinese netizens commented that these South Korean tourists should not behave like this as it might harm Chinese people’s reputation and image in other countries.

One Chinese vlogger posted another video on social media about what he has seen in Thailand.

In the video two young women claim they are Chinese people as they refuse a request from employees at a local restaurant to eat at the restaurant.

The vlogger asked them in English if they are Chinese and then spoke Chinese with them, but the women did not understand. Finally, they admitted they are South Korean.

“Please do not pretend to be Chinese again,” the vlogger said.

The behaviors have been seen as uncivilized and impolite by some Chinese netizens.

Global Times