We told you about the hullaballoo that started with
CCTV-9 anchor Rui Chenggang's rant in his blog against Starbucks' presence in the Forbidden City. Well, the story has now come to a close. Starbucks has closed its outlet there, and if this
China Daily article is anything to go by, it wasn't Rui's blog entry or the ensuing furore that finally overwhelmed the outlet. Apparently, the management of the Forbidden City "had offered to continue serving Starbucks coffee alongside other brands at a planned beverage store that will also sell domestic coffee", but Starbucks insisted on having an independent cafe on its own. The China Daily article also points to an opinion piece in Saturday's Beijing Morning Post that questioned Chinese "cultural tolerance" over the Starbucks issue. It asks, "Why do some of the Chinese nationals are so hostile toward foreign companies that enter such landmarks as the Forbidden City, but feel so proud when a Chinese businessman buys into a German airport?"
Photo from purplestarhorse.
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I don't understand what the person posing this final question is confused about...Has the frightening combination of xenophobia and nationalism in China ever been a mystery to anyone?
oh come on. it's not about xenophobia or nationalism. it's about commercialism intruding into a place that is much revered and respected.
what would you think about a Starbucks in the Lincoln Memorial? How about Westminster Abbey? St. Peters?
Acutally, I was referring to this: "Why do some of the Chinese nationals are so hostile toward foreign companies that enter such landmarks as the Forbidden City, but feel so proud when a Chinese businessman buys into a German airport?"
If you let all the other shit hawkers remain and single out Starbucks, it is about these things.
Oh, wait, you're right -- the old man selling water and gummy toys that walk down walls truly has much respect.
Starbucks was asked by the tourism authority of the Forbidden City to set up shop there. It's not like the big bad multinational browbeat the helpless officials into letting them sell their mediocre coffee.
Also, if anyone wants to read a really good book on the future of China, I'd recommend Will Hutton's China and the West in the 21st Century. Picked it up in Pudong on my way back to America - I'm actually surprised Big Brother is allowing this book to circulate, since it's premise is that without removing the party China can never transform into a modern economy. I'd read that and China Shakes the World if anyone wants a concise and entertaining take on China's challenges in the next few decades.
I just feel sorry for anyone who visits the Forbidden City now and wants a cup of coffee. Wonder whether they'll replace the Starbucks with one of the homegrown brands springing up around Beijing (some of them obvious Starbucks copy cats. Now wouldn't that be ironic). Even better, maybe Sculpting In Time could open a branch there. Ah, but its owned by a Taiwanese...
Nah, the Forbidden City Starbucks will be replaced by a "Xing Ba Ke", Moonbucks or Sunbucks (despite the fact that the former seems to keep losing IP lawsuits).
Here's more about China's future in Businessweek (seems the int'l business community has finally cleaned off its spectacles):
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/jul2007/gb20070712_852647_page_2.htm
#2, you're talking bullshit.
Today's China Daily mentions that the Starbucks will be replaced by another coffee shop selling Chinese brands. This issue is not about respecting history or a cultural site, it's about nationalism. And trying to look cool.
"Why do some of the Chinese nationals are so hostile toward foreign companies that enter such landmarks as the Forbidden City, but feel so proud when a Chinese businessman buys into a German airport?"
Oo oo I know this one!
what is "Hypocrisy?"