Uniqlo faces backlash in China over Xinjiang cotton comments

China

Uniqlo faces backlash in China over Xinjiang cotton comments

2024-12-01 14:01 Last Updated At：18:47

Japanese Clothing giant Uniqlo has come under fire in China after the CEO of its parent company, Fast Retailing, said that the brand does not use cotton sourced from China's Xinjiang region.

Tadashi Yanai's remarks in a recent BBC interview have triggered strong public backlash against the brand on Chinese social media, reigniting discussions around the challenges multinational corporations (MNCs) face in navigating global geopolitical tensions.

With over a thousand stores across China, including locations in smaller cities such as Zhangjiakou in north China's Hebei Province, Uniqlo remains a popular choice for shoppers. However, while the stores bustle with activity, the brand is facing a social media storm over its stance on Xinjiang cotton.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said during a regular presser on Friday that cotton from the Xinjiang region is among the best in the world.

She added that China hopes that the relevant company will overcome political pressure and malign disruption, and independently make business decisions that serve its own interests.

Mao's response quickly became a hot topic on Sina Weibo, a leading social media platform in China. Comments applauded the removal of the brand from online platforms, with calls for domestic brands to fill the void left by Uniqlo.

On the streets of China, consumer sentiment echoed the online criticism.

"After hearing this news, I don't like this brand anymore. But maybe I'll still buy their stuff sometimes," said one customer.

"I think as a company that operates in China, to say this kind of stuff means you don’t want to have business here anymore," said another customer.

As of now, Uniqlo has not issued a public response to the backlash.

In the interview, Yanai expressed his vision of expanding Uniqlo to 3,000 stores in China. Whether his comments will affect this ambitious target remains to be seen.

Over the past few years, the Chinese government has consistently refuted allegations of human rights abuses related to cotton production in Xinjiang, saying these accusations are part of a Western conspiracy to undermine China's economic development and interfere in its internal affairs.

Sinn Fein holds slim lead in Irish general election: exit poll

2024-12-01 17:26 Last Updated At：18:07

As vote counting begun following Ireland's general election on Friday, exit polls show a neck-and-neck race between the country's three major political parties, with Sinn Fein, the largest opposition party, taking a narrow lead.

Voting concluded at 22:00 on Friday night and counting began on Saturday morning as Ireland's 3.8 million voters choose new members of the 174-seat lower chamber of parliament, the Dail.

While the final outcome may take several days to determine, an exit poll of some 5,000 people on Friday has given a clear indication of the result.

The poll puts Sinn Fein on 21.1 percent, just ahead of Fine Gael on 21 percent, and Fianna Fail on 19.5 percent.

For over a century since Ireland's independence, every government has been led by one of two main political parties--Fianna Fail and Fine Gael-- both seen as centre-right parties. However, the 2020 general election marked a shift, when Sinn Fein emerged as the second-largest party and largest opposition force in parliament.

Sinn Fein, a left-wing, radical party, has a significant edge among younger voters and low-income groups. It advocates for social reforms and champions the idea of a unified Ireland by any means, including the use of force.

Political analysts suggest that under Ireland's electoral system known as proportional representation, it is unlikely any single party will secure an outright majority in parliament. While Sinn Fein is expected to win a narrow majority of votes in this election, forming a coalition government afterwards remains a challenge for the party.

Some analysts believe that if Sinn Fein successfully forms a coalition with other parties, the issue of Irish reunification could shift from the fringes to the center of the country's political agenda.