Swatch sorry for 'slanted eyes' ad after China uproar

Swatch, the Swiss watchmaker, has apologized for an advertisement that was criticized as being racist and insensitive. The ad featured a model pulling the corners of his eyes, resembling a racist gesture that mocks people of Asian descent. The advertisement was released in China and faced immediate backlash from Chinese social media users, who accused Swatch of perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Swatch swiftly removed the ad and issued an apology, acknowledging that the image was "inappropriate" and "offensive." The company stated that the ad was intended to promote a new watch model, but it failed to consider the cultural and historical context of the gesture portrayed. Swatch emphasized its commitment to diversity and inclusion, and promised to review its internal processes to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The incident highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity and the need for brands to be mindful of the impact their marketing campaigns can have, especially in an increasingly globalized world.