“I came across as racist and I was wrong in the way I conducted the interview,” he said while opening his show this morning.
“This is not who I am, but I acknowledge on this occasion I caused offence and hurt, not only to Beverley but also to our listeners.”
He said the plan had been to have a serious conversation with Wang about her new podcast, It’s Not A Race.
“The plan was to take on a serious topic, race and culture, and talk with Beverley about a range of related issues.
“I offer my sincerest apologies. We need to talk about these issues, but be careful we consider them.”
During the interview last week, Symons asked Wang if she was “yellow” and, “what’s the deal with Asians?”
The ABC has since removed the podcast, and says it is an undertaking a review of editorial processes following the incident.
Promoted as the podcast Australia needs “right now”, Its Not A Race explores conversations about race, racism, identity, culture and difference.
This hyptonising gif is telling you to LISTEN to #NotARace podcast w/@hingers @CazzTran@wojennifer https://t.co/Yh1VoDxh3C@RadioNational pic.twitter.com/WlLtd3sm83
— beverley wang (@beverleywang) June 18, 2017