Nick Cummins faces backlash for fronting a Hong Kong tourism campaign

Nick ‘The Honey Badger’ Cummins, former Wallaby star Nick ‘The Honey Badger’, has been criticized for starring in a new ad campaign promoting tourism in Hong Kong as the city teeters under the ruthless rule of China’s communist dictatorship.

The 35-year-old, who was Australia’s bachelor in 2018, is starring in a three-part video series exploring Hong Kong’s top tourist attractions, enjoying local food and partying with locals in a post-pandemic era.

‘Hong Kong is one of my all-time favorite cities in the world. The people, the culture, the crowds, the crowds – you just can’t beat it,” Cummins, who plays regularly for the Hong Kong Sevens, said in a statement.

‘From the restaurants and nightlife to being outdoors and exploring, there really is something for everyone. I can’t wait for Aussies to explore Hong Kong like I did.”

Karen Macmillan, the director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board in Australia and New Zealand, said: ‘The video series showcases the incredible variety of experiences you can do in Hong Kong and really captures the distinct East-meets-West vibe. .

While the campaign hopes to encourage Australians to visit Hong Kong as Covid-19 restrictions ease, critics say the videos do not reflect the realities of city life.

While the campaign hopes to encourage Australians to visit Hong Kong as Covid-19 restrictions ease, critics say the videos don’t reflect the realities of city life

Human rights have deteriorated rapidly in Hong Kong in recent years, including extreme restrictions on freedom of expression, association and the press.

This has fueled pro-democracy protests and international criticism.

In 2020, Beijing imposed a national security law that gave it broad powers to punish dissenters from the regime.

Human rights have deteriorated rapidly in Hong Kong in recent years, including extreme restrictions on freedom of expression, association and the press. (Pictured: Protesters march in the streets of Hong Kong on July 1, 2020)

Jane Poon, a member of the Australia-Hong Kong Link, criticized Cummins for his involvement in the campaign. The Sydney Morning Herald: ‘The people in the city actually have a hard time understanding what the government is doing.

‘By taking this’ [tourism ambassadorship] jobs, celebrities support a government condemned by the international community.”

Former pro-democracy lawmaker in Hong Kong Ted Hui, who was banned during the city’s crackdown on dissenters, also said he was “disappointed”.[ed] to see anyone being part of the regime’s propaganda in Beijing or Hong Kong.”

However, Hui, an outspoken critic of the communist regime, noted that Cummins probably had good intentions when he agreed to lead the campaign.

Cummins’ tourism campaign in Hong Kong will run from October 5 to November 28.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to the Cummins representative for comment.

In 2020, Beijing imposed a national security law that gave it broad powers to punish dissenters from the regime. (Pictured: Protesters march in the streets of Hong Kong on May 10, 2020)