What’s trending?

#英特尔回应杨笠代言争议# Intel responds to Yang Li ad controversy#

What’s the story?

After a social media backlash, global semiconductor giant Intel’s Chinese unit has taken down an advertisement from its Weibo and Taobao sites that featured a female standup comedian known for her jokes about men.

The video, promoting the company’s Evo laptops, featured Yang Li saying “Intel’s taste in laptops is even better than my standards in picking a boyfriend.” A rare female voice in Chinese comedy circles, Yang Li’s sarcastic jokes directed at men have often been met with annoyance by some segments of the country’s male population.

The squabbling began as soon as the ad hit the internet, with the semiconductor giant accused by men of instigating confrontation between the sexes for traffic. On Wednesday Intel responded, stating, “It has been noticed that the Yang Li video caused widespread controversy, which is not what we expected …We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and social environment with partners from all walks of life.”

Intel has now pulled the ad, and its Taobao flagship store has replaced all promotional posters featuring Yang Li. However, #Intel Yang Li# continues to be a hot search on Weibo, and the debate rages on.

What are people saying online?

Many male social media users felt Yang Li was not qualified to promote a so-called “male user-oriented” product, with one writing that “Intel is mainly for male users, and women don’t understand electronic products.” Female Weibo users pointing out that such comments are sexist. “Intel: does that mean women can’t use it? Or does it mean that female clients can be humiliated? Or does it mean you don’t care about losing your female customers?”

Other netizens expressed support for the comedian, saying she was free to express herself as she wished. “I will not use any brand that removes Yang Li to please the haters and oppressors, or violates people’s rights.”

Related: Intel Challenges Taiwan’s TSMC in Contract Chipmaking Business