Pictures in widely used mathematics textbooks are said to be ugly, sexually provocative, and anti-China, officials pledged a nationwide study.

After graphics in widely used mathematics textbooks for primary school pupils were attacked online as ugly, sexually suggestive, and anti-China; China’s education ministry has ordered a statewide review of all elementary school, high school, and university textbooks.

According to Chinese press reports, the textbooks, issued by the state-run People’s Education Press; have been in use for about a decade. However, when illustrations from the books were shared on Weibo, China’s version of Twitter; there has been a backlash on Chinese social media.

The publisher was accused of spreading a pro-Western, anti-China message due to an erroneous portrayal of the Chinese flag; and a drawing of a youngster wearing the American flag colours of red, white, and blue.

“This isn’t an issue of art; it’s an issue of philosophy.” Do they really have no idea how serious the issue of ideology infiltrating education is?” One Weibo user made a remark.