Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific airline apologizes for 'Family Guy' episode with Tiananmen Square scene

Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific airline is apologizing after offering an in-flight episode of the cartoon "Family Guy," featuring a Tiananmen Square scene and joke.

Cathay Pacific was accused of violating Hong Kong's controversial National Security Law, which bans any activity that could be considered "secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces."

In the seven-second "Family Guy" scene, cartoon dad Peter Griffin stands next to "Tank Man," who stood alone in Beijing's Tiananmen Square during the bloody 1989 crackdown on student-led protesters. In a recreation of the iconic photograph showing the lone resistor, Griffin says before fleeing, "Ah screw this, I just came over to buy some fireworks."

After passengers complained about the short scene on social media, Cathay Pacific issued an apology Tuesday.

"We emphasize that the program's content does not represent Cathay Pacific's standpoint and have immediately arranged to have the program removed as soon as possible," the airline told the South China Morning Post.

Hong Kong's National Security Law was enacted in 2020, one year after mass pro-democracy protests. The law has curtailed demonstrations that question the authority of the mainland Chinese government.

Last month, Hong Kong sentenced 45 pro-democracy leaders and advocates to lengthy prison terms on charges of conspiracy to commit subversion of the city's National Security Law.

The defendants were arrested for holding an election primary in 2020 to select pro-democracy politicians. The United States condemned Hong Kong officials and vowed to impose sanctions and visa restrictions.

On June 4, 1989, Chinese soldiers opened fire on thousands of unarmed protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, killing hundreds, as "a man stepped in front of a column of tanks in an attempt to stop their advance."

A soldier in the lead tank spoke to the man before getting off and standing to the side. As the tanks began to move, "Tank Man" stood in front again before he was hauled off the street by other protesters.

Cathay Pacific told the South China Morning Post on Wednesday that a third party company is responsible for its in-flight entertainment. The airline has vowed to make sure all future content meets airline standards.