‘I'm Chinese language, sorry’: Hong Kong actor apologises for praising Queen Elizabeth | World News

A veteran Hong Kong opera star apologised and declared his patriotism on Thursday after his reward for Britain's late Queen Elizabeth II sparked a backlash amongst nationalists in China.

1000's of Hong Kong residents have queued up outdoors town's British consulate this week to signal a condolence ebook for the late monarch who died after 70 years on the throne.

Among the many mourners was Legislation Kar-ying, a heavyweight of the Cantonese opera scene, who revealed a selfie on Instagram from the queue and a message that learn: "Hong Kong was a blessed land throughout her reign."

Learn extra: These international locations haven't been invited to Queen Elizabeth II's funeral

Instagram is banned in mainland China however Legislation's put up went viral on different social media websites, sparking anger and criticism amongst nationalists.

On Thursday, Legislation took to China's Twitter-like platform Weibo to put up a video apologising for "making remarks of mourning with out pondering them by".

"My authentic intention was to specific condolences for a late aged girl and I wish to enchantment to everybody to not overly interpret what I mentioned," the 75-year-old mentioned in Mandarin Chinese language.

"I can not probably neglect my origin and ancestry. That I've been maintaining a Chinese language passport says all of it, I'm Chinese language and I like my motherland without end. I'm sorry," he added.

His authentic Instagram put up was deleted.

Hong Kong was a British colony for over 150 years and whereas the monetary hub was returned to China in 1997, the previous is engraved into its panorama, from avenue names and the ubiquity of English to the frequent regulation authorized system.

Whereas different former colonies have seen extra muted reactions to Elizabeth II's dying, about 6,700 Hong Kong residents, together with some authorities officers, have signed the consulate's condolence ebook thus far.

Queues have snaked by the enterprise district and brought as much as 4 hours.

Many mourners have expressed nostalgia for town's colonial previous at a time when China is in search of to purge dissent following large democracy protests three years in the past.

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Ta Kung Pao, a Hong Kong newspaper which solutions to Beijing's native Liaison Workplace, ran a commentary on Tuesday accusing "anti-Chinese language components and anti-China media" of "whitewashing colonial rule" by encouraging mourning of Elizabeth II.

Nationalism has surged beneath President Xi Jinping, China's most assertive and authoritarian chief in a era.

Celebrities and companies can discover themselves dealing with large client backlashes for any perceived slight to China or suggestion of disloyalty.

Most of the commenters beneath Legislation's Weibo video weren't satisfied by his apology.

Some instructed him to "study from his spouse" Liza Wang, a veteran actress who was a Hong Kong delegate to China's prime political advisory physique for twenty years.