Last week, a Paris overseas Chinese group filed a lawsuit at the local Paris Higher Court urging the court to ban the derogatory play title, and prevent the local Theatre De Nesles from showing the play until the name is modified.

The joint statement, made public at the Yue Hai Chinatown in Paris, condemned the ridiculous play title and related advertisements, which they said is a blatant humiliation to Chinese people.

The play title originates from Shanghai, which, during the 1930s and 1940s, was occupied by invaders including Britain, France, Japan and the United States and divided into varied spheres of influence. A notice in the Huangpu Park read: ``Chinese and Dogs Not Allowed.''

To 1.3 billion Chinese, the notice means the sufferings on Chinese nation, and is an emblem of humiliation, the statement said.

``Now, China is an independent country which has driven away the aggressors. It is bent on reform and on the advent towards economic take-off, '' the statement says, adding all the overseas Chinese are proud of their motherland, and destined to uphold the dignity and integrity of being a Chinese.

``Anyone wanting to insult Chinese people or disdain the image of China will be condemned and stopped,'' it says.

(China Daily 11/21/2000)