DHAKA: A Chinese firm has apologized over an advert for detergent which has annoyed a tempest of allegations of racism.

The manufacturer of Qiaobi said it strongly opposed and damned racial discrimination, and was sorry the advert had caused controversy, BBC reports on Sunday (May 29).

In it, a black man is stuffed head-first into a washing machine before emerging as a light-skinned Asian.

In its initial retort several days ago, the firm had suggested that its critics overseas were too sensitive.

And in a statement of apology late on Saturday (May 28), Shanghai Leishang Cosmetics Ltd Co also blamed foreign media for intensifying the advert.

It first appeared in March but was halted amid protests this week which followed extensive media coverage of the controversy.

The company says it has withdrawn links to the advert, and would like others to stop sharing it online.

Within the past few days, it has been watched more than 6.5 million times on YouTube.

BDST: 1324 HRS, May 29, 2016
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