Facebook apologises to Xi Jinping for translation error

Facebook has been forced to apologise to Xi Jinping after a translation glitch obscenely addressed the Chinese President.

That’s one crappy computer glitch.

Facebook was forced to apologise Saturday after a “technical issue” caused Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s name to appear as “Mr. S – thole” when translated from Burmese to English in posts on its platform, the company said.

According to the New York Post, the blunder was noticed on the second day of Xi’s visit to the country to sign infrastructure-related agreements with Burmese state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi shake hands before a bilateral meeting at the Presidential Palace in Naypyidaw. Picture: AFP

That meant Facebook users who translated headlines from local outlets would be treated to breaking news stories like, “Dinner honours president s – thole.”

Meanwhile, Suu Kyi’s official Facebook page was filled with the obscenity as she posted about her time with Xi.

Facebook’s system did not have Chinese President Xi Jinping’s name in its Burmese database, leaving the site to guess the translation, the company said in a statement.

Myanmar's army chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (L) speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during their meeting. Picture: AFP Photo

Testing the translations of similar words starting with “xi” and “shi” brought the same “sh – thole” results, it added.

“We fixed a technical issue that caused incorrect translations from Burmese to English on Facebook,” Facebook said.

“This should not have happened and we are taking steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again. We sincerely apologise for the offence this has caused.”

Myanmar protestors hold a rally in Yangon to protest against any reinstatement of a controversial Chinese-backed mega-dam during the final day of Xi Jinping’s visit. Picture: AFP

It comes as Myanmar protestors held a rally in Yangon to protest against any reinstatement of a controversial Chinese-backed mega-dam during the final day of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit in Naypyidaw.

The demonstrators called for the "termination" of the $US3.6 billion ($A5.23 billion) Myitsone project.

The 6000 megawatt dam was suspended in 2011 in the face of nationwide condemnation.

This story was first published in the New York Post and is republished with permission.

Originally published as Facebook apologises to Xi Jinping for translation error