The project again caused controversy and divided viewers after a guest went on an expletive-laden tirade about pandas.
Chinese-born Australian journalist and writer Vicky Xu appeared on Monday night’s show to discuss Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s current visit to Australia and his recent announcement of a panda swap at Adelaide Zoo.
Ms Xu is a strong supporter of human rights abuses in China and remains unconvinced of so-called “panda diplomacy” with Australia.
She was one of the first journalists in Australia to highlight the imprisonment of Uyghurs in China.
His gaffe on the Channel Ten show comes a year after queer comedian Reuben Kaye shocked The Project presenters with an X-rated joke about Jesus on air.
Panelist Sam Taunton asked Ms Xu if she was excited about Adelaide Zoo welcoming new pandas.
“I guess…no, I’m not…I’m not,” Mrs. Xu admitted.
“(Wang Wang (pictured) and Fu Ni) will return to China before the end of the year,” Premier Li said.
Ms Xu then dropped a bombshell about pandas’ breeding habits.
“I think pandas are too lazy to fuck around and to the point that they are becoming extinct.”
Ms. Xu’s comment was met with surprise and laughter from The Project hosts.
“I think they deserve what’s coming to them,” he continued.
Ms. Xu then compared herself to pandas.
“I think they deserve what’s coming to them,” he said.
“And look, look at me in this outfit… I’m way cuter than those fat giants, not damn pandas.”
This comment caused gasps and more laughter.
‘Is Australia so lucky to have me and pandas?’ We can let them go,” Mrs. Xu continued.
Chinese-born Australian journalist and writer Vicky Xu (pictured) is an advocate against human rights abuses in China.
The Project later weighed in on Ms. Xu’s comments.
“This might be the most brutal reaction to the news that Australia is getting two new Chinese pandas,” the show tweeted.
The tweet sparked mixed reactions among viewers.
“Man, that’s embarrassing,” one commented.
Another added: “Koalas are ‘too lazy’ and ‘deserve what’s coming to them’.” Oh wait, they’re pandas. It’s okay to laugh, laugh now! Just a normal, fun TV show in Australia.’
Many spectators jumped to Ms. Xu’s defense.
Your guest was good! I like your answer about the new pandas! Panda diplomacy sucks! Stop begging for these pandas! I like our koalas better!’ one commented.
Another added: “I just saw this and all I’d like to say is ‘Fuck the pandas too’, give us Vicky Xu!”
Others were amused.
“I saw this live and it was so funny,” one viewer tweeted.
Ms. Xu’s comments come later Premier Li announced a panda swap at Adelaide Zoo on Sunday, which has since sparked outrage.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang (pictured center) announced a panda swap at Adelaide Zoo on Sunday.
Two new giant pandas would replace Wang Wang and Fu Ni, who have resided at the zoo for 15 years.
The pandas were part of an international breeding program, but during their stay in Australia they were unable to produce offspring.
“(Wang Wang and Fu Ni) will return to China before the end of the year,” Premier Li said.
“But what I want to tell you is that we will provide you with a new pair of beautiful, lovely and adorable pandas as soon as possible.”
Premier Li’s visit is the first by a Chinese premier to Australia in seven years and comes after a period of turbulence for the country’s largest trading partner, while recent military incidents in international waters have threatened a diplomatic thaw. .
The zoo visit was disrupted by protesters, who say panda diplomacy obscures the black and white of a troubling human rights record.
Ted Hui, an Australian lawyer in Hong Kong, said panda diplomacy should not distract from China’s human rights record.
“While pandas are undeniably adorable and a symbol of wildlife conservation, we cannot allow their presence to distract us from the serious issues at hand,” said Mr Hui.
Ms Xu’s comment was met with surprise and laughter by The Project hosts Waleed Aly (pictured left) and Sarah Harris (pictured right).
Ramila Chanisheff, president of the Australian Tangritagh Uyghur Women’s Association, said the use of panda diplomacy was a smokescreen to divert attention from China’s human rights violations, particularly against the Uyghur people.
“We must not be blinded by their propaganda,” said Ms Chanisheff.
“Our protest is a stand for those who cannot speak for themselves and a reminder that human rights cannot be overshadowed by superficial gestures.”
On her website, Ms Xu describes herself as a “journalist, researcher and artist”.
He has covered China and Australia for ABC and the New York Times.
He was born and raised in Gansu, one of the poorest and most remote provinces in China, before emigrating to Australia at the age of 19.