Henan tries to shake off its negative reputation

A video promoting Henan province is shown in Times Square, New York. [Photo/Sina Weibo]

Central China's Henan province is airing a 60-second promotional video in New York's Times Square to boost its international reputation, triggering hot Internet discussion.

Some people have a regional bias against Henan and consider people from the province to be dishonest and deceptive.

The video, titled "The world starts to look eastward", shows several landmarks and icons including the Longmen Grottoes, a World Heritage site, the Shaolin Temple, which has suffered a tarnished image through a scandal involving its abbot, and local specialties.

The video is being shown 80 times per day for a week at a cost of $100,000, jinbw.com.cn reported, citing Wang Xin, director of Songyang Culture company that created it.

Wang said he hopes the promotion can help make the world aware of Henan.

"In private some Chinese, even some intellectuals, have a bias against Henan. But when they come to Henan and make contact with local people they will change their views," said Wang.

"Henan is a magic land rich in culture and has left many glories. But people see Henan more in its past rather than its development today."

The promotion is to deliver today's Henan to the world, Wang added.

The video has caused a stir among netizens. Some said: "Henan will be famous again." Others questioned the reasons behind the video, asking why Henan appears at the "cross roads of the world" and ask is there any big event happening? Some said: "It is time for Henan to promote its globalism."