Günther Oettinger | Florian Gaertner/Photothek via Getty Images Günther Oettinger defends calling Chinese ‘slant eyes’ German commissioner said he meant no disrespect with the ‘somewhat slang expression.’

European Commissioner Günther Oettinger defended his use of the term “slant eyes” in reference to the Chinese, saying he was speaking casually, using “slang.”

He offered no apologies, insisting it was important to see his comments in the “larger context.”

“It was somewhat slang expression that was in no way meant to show a lack of respect for China,” Germany’s EU commissioner told Die Welt.

Oettinger, the commissioner for digital economy, made the comments in German during a speech in Hamburg last week. He talked about Europe and the challenges it faces with China. During the speech, he referred to the Chinese as Schlitzaugen (slant eyes), an expression that in German, as in English, is generally considered racist.

“Last week, the Chinese ministers were in town for the annual China-EU summit. Nine men, one party, no democracy,” he told the Hamburg audience. “All of them in dark blue, single-breasted suits. All of them had their hair combed from left to right, with black shoe-polish.”

The disclosure of his remarks, portions of which were filmed and posted on YouTube on Friday, come at a delicate time for the Commission. Its president, Jean-Claude Juncker, tapped Oettinger on Friday to replace outgoing budget Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva. Oettinger, an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, is also expected to become one of the Commission's seven vice presidents, a coveted and powerful role among the 28 commissioners.

It’s unclear what effect, if any, Oettinger’s comments will have on his future at the Commission. So far, the Commission has remained silent on the issue.

At the Hamburg appearance, Oettinger, also made disparaging remarks about gay marriage and women.

Offering a tongue-in-cheek critique of Germany’s political priorities in the coming years, he suggested that soon legislators would introduce a law for “mandatory gay marriage.” Germany currently allows civil unions between gays but not same-sex marriage.

He also noted that unlike Europe, China did not have quotas for women in top jobs and “consequently no women” in delegations like the one that visited Brussels earlier this month. The remark, which drew laughter from some in the crowd, seemed to suggest women couldn’t win such positions by merit.

In Berlin, officials were less amused.

“Someone who openly uses racist and homophobic stereotypes is not qualified for top political positions,” Katarina Barley, general secretary of the Social Democrats told Spiegel Online, adding that Oettinger could “damage the entire EU.”