The Project under fire after guest’s foul-mouthed rant on-air

The Project has again divided viewers after a guest launched into an expletive-laden tirade about pandas.

Chinese-born Australian journalist and writer Vicky Xu appeared on Monday’s night program to discuss Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s current visit in Australia and his recent announcement of a panda swap at Adelaide Zoo.

Ms Xu is an outspoken advocate against human rights abuses in China and remains unconvinced about Beijing‘s so-called ‘panda diplomacy’ with countries including Australia.

She was one of the first journalists in Australia to shine a spotlight on the incarceration of Uyghurs in China.

Ms Xu was asked by panelist Sam Taunton if she was excited about Adelaide Zoo getting new pandas. 

‘I think… no, I am not… I am not,’ Ms Xu admitted.

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Ms Xu then dropped a bombshell about panda’s breeding habits. 

‘I think pandas they’re too lazy to f*** and to the point that they’re going extinct.’

Ms Xu’s comment was met with shock and laughter by The Project hosts. 

‘I think they deserve what they have coming for them,’ she continued.

Ms Xu then compared herself to the pandas.

‘I think they deserve what they have coming for them,’ she said.

‘And and look, look at me this outfit… I am so much cuter than those giant fat, not f****ing pandas.’ 

This comment drew gasps and more laughter. 

 ‘Australia is so lucky to have me and the pandas? We can let them go,’ Ms Xu continued. 

The Project later weighed in on Ms Xu’s comments.

‘This could be the most brutal reaction to the news that Australia is getting two new Chinese pandas,’ the program tweeted.

The tweet sparked a mixed reaction from viewers. 

‘Man that is cringeworthy,’ one commented.

Another added: ‘Koalas are ‘too lazy’ and ‘deserve what’s coming for them’. Oh wait, it’s pandas. Ok to laugh, laugh now! Just a cool and normal TV show in Australia.’

Many viewers leapt to Ms Xu’s defence. 

‘Your guest was good!  I like her response on the new pandas! Panda diplomacy sucks! Stop begging for these pandas! I like our koalas better!’ one commented.

Another added: ‘I just watch this and all I’d like to say is ‘f*** the pandas too’, give us Vicky Xu!’

Others were amused.

‘Watched this live and it was properly funny,’ a viewer tweeted.

Ms Xu’s comments come after Premier Li announced a panda swap at Adelaide Zoo on Sunday, which has since sparked outrage.  

Two new giant pandas would replace Wang Wang and Fu Ni, who have been residents at the zoo for 15 years. 

The pandas were part of an international breeding program, but during their time in Australia they been unable to produce offspring.

‘(Wang Wang and Fu Ni) will return to China before the end of the year,’ Premier Li said.

‘But what I want to tell you is that we will provide a new pair of beautiful, lovely and adorable pandas as soon as possible.’

Premier Li’s visit is the first by a Chinese premier to Australia in seven years and comes after a period of turbulence for the country’s biggest trading partner, while recent military incidents in international waters have threatened the diplomatic thaw. 

The zoo visit was disrupted by protesters, who say panda diplomacy shrouds the black and white of a troubling human rights record.

Ted Hui, an Australian lawyer from Hong Kong, said panda diplomacy shouldn’t distract from China’s human rights record.

‘While pandas are undeniably adorable and a symbol of wildlife conservation, we cannot let their presence distract us from the serious issues at hand,’ Mr Hui said.

Ramila Chanisheff, President of the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association, said the use of panda diplomacy was a smokescreen to divert attention from China’ human rights violations, particularly against the Uyghur people.

‘We must not be blinded by their propaganda,’ Ms Chanisheff said.

‘Our protest is a stand for those who cannot speak for themselves and a reminder that human rights cannot be overshadowed by superficial gestures.’

On her website Ms Xu describes herself as ‘a journalist, researcher, and artist.’

She has covered China and Australia for the ABC and the New York Times.

She was born and raised in Gansu, one of the poorest and most remote provinces in China before migrating to Australia at 19.

Her gaffe on the Channel Ten program comes a year after queer comedian Reuben Kaye shocked The Project hosts with an X-rated joke about Jesus live on air.