A blockchain conference organized in the city of Boao on Hainan Island, China, generated a wave of criticism on social media after a publicity stunt in which an actor played Mao Zedong wishing the event great success. Some internet users called the performance a shameful display of disrespect to the founding father of the People’s Republic of China. They said the incident could cost the image of the whole blockchain industry in the region. Along with the public outcry, the performance seems to infringe the law.
At the 2018 Boao Asia Blockchain Conference, a Mao look-alike said “I sincerely wish this conference a great success…and I want to thank you in the name of Mao Zedong.”
Currently, the laws in China do not allow the use of any type of representation of former national leaders, including and especially Mao Zedong, for the promotion of commercial products.
The organizer of the event expressed his apologies in a WeChat post:
“We are sorry for the negative impact our conference had on the public, and we will continue to execute the conference with high standards.”
The event was held in Boao also for marketing purposes, as the region is renowned for its Boao Forum for Asia, a non-profit that organizes regular meetings that gather leaders from government, business and academia in Asia. The forum is a replica of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, being often called the “Asian Davos.” The blockchain conference organizers even used some similar design materials to make people believe there is a connection between the two events.
A blockchain investor commented: “You invited chairman Mao, are you not paying respects to our current leader president Xi.”
A manager of blockchain media agency said: “All blockchain conferences please fully disclose all speakers and actors invited to attend in order for us to support you.”
2018 Boao Asia Blockchain Conference is a two-day event that started on Monday, May 28.
This article appeared first on Cryptovest
