Chinese to ‘forgive’ Martin’s gaffe
The man who was foreign minister until last month caused gasps when he tried to mimic a Chinese accent while discussing his party’s jobs plan.
Last night Mr Martin apologised for any offence he may have caused.
“I made a comment in a manner I shouldn’t have. I was making a serious point about how Ireland is seen in the world as a leader in software. If anyone was in any way offended I of course apologise.”
Mr Martin, who has made a number of trips to China during his 14 years as a cabinet minister in the outgoing government, was discussing business opportunities with the country which yesterday officially overtook Japan as the world’s second largest economy behind the United States when the incident occurred. Lapsing into his supposed Chinese accent, Mr Martin said that on his visits to the country there was a constant refrain from officials: “You Irish very good at software.”
Dr Katherine Chan Mullen, chairwoman of the Irish-Chinese Information Centre, said the large Chinese community here would not feel insulted by Mr Martin’s attempt to mimic the accent.
“We forgive him,” Dr Chan Mullen said, putting the incident down to cultural differences. It is estimated that some 60,000 Chinese-speaking people live here and all political parties are stressing the need for greater trade and educational links with the rising economic superpower. The Chinese embassy declined to comment on the Martin incident.
