China Daily releases AI video depicting Filipinos as monkeys

China's state media outlet China Daily posted an AI-made video on July 10, 2026, showing Filipinos as monkeys. The video was about South China Sea disputes and portrayed the Philippines as a small, frightened monkey being pushed around by the US and Japan. China Daily also shared cartoons showing the Philippines as a clown and a snake. The Philippine government formally condemned the content on July 17. Its Department of Foreign Affairs called the images deeply racist and dehumanizing. The Philippines demanded that China remove the video and stop producing similar content. The two countries have disputed control of the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal for many years. Chinese Coast Guard ships have previously used water cannons against Philippine vessels near these areas.