PANJIN, China — A Chinese car owner was fined 1,000 RMB ($155 USD) and placed under a 15-day administrative detention after displaying vehicle decals featuring WWII-era Japanese military slogans and a derogatory term for Chinese citizens.
Police in Panjin, Liaoning Province, intercepted the private vehicle following complaints from local residents. The decals on the car’s rear bumper included the phrase “Made in Shina” (支那制造) along with “Buyun Changjiu” (武运长久)—a Imperial Japanese wartime slogan wishing for long-lasting military victory—accompanied by images of the Rising Sun flag.
During police interrogation, the driver, identified by his surname Zhang, claimed he purchased the custom stickers online without understanding their historical sensitivity.
Panjin law enforcement issued the 1,000 RMB fine and 15-day detention under public order management laws, citing that the public display of Imperial Japanese wartime slurs directly insulted national dignity and reopened historical wounds from the Sino-Japanese War. Authorities added that they are investigating the online merchants responsible for printing the custom decals.
The police action has triggered contrasting reactions across social media:
- Support for Enforcement: Proponents of the penalty argue that using slurs associated with Imperial Japanese aggression crosses a line into public provocation, calling the fine and detention appropriate.
- Linguistic Debate: Other commentators noted that the term Zhīnà originally derived from neutral ancient translations of “China” (such as Cina), though acknowledging its transformation into a slur during the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Free Expression Concerns: Critics outside mainland China raised concerns over the severity of the legal penalty, arguing that a 15-day detention for a car sticker highlights rigid restrictions on personal expression.
Social Media Reaction
Footage of the police interrogation sparked widespread debate across international and local social platforms:
- Public Outrage & Support for Enforcement: Many commentators supported the police action, stating that using wartime slurs associated with atrocities like the Nanjing Massacre crosses historical and national boundaries.
- Debate Over Terminology: Other commentators discussed the linguistic roots of the term Shina, noting its origins as an ancient neutral translation (derived from Sanskrit) before it evolved into a racial slur during the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Critiques of Free Expression: Critics and external observers questioned the severity of police intervention over vehicle stickers, raising concerns regarding freedom of speech and legal proportionality.