Bulgari apology posted on Weibo
On 11th July, Bulgari, an Italian luxury brand owned by LVMH Group, found itself at the top of search lists on Chinese social media platforms due to a statement it released about its position on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The statement came after some netizens noticed that Bulgari's official website listed Taiwan as part of "China" in its distribution information along with Hong Kong, Macao Special Administrative Region of China.
11 July 2023
Bulgari's statement acknowledged the error and apologized for it. However, many Chinese social media users were skeptical about the sincerity of Bulgari's apology, pointing out that similar errors had occurred in the past with other Western companies. They also questioned why none of Bulgari's spokespersons had come forward to address the issue publicly.
The incident sparked a heated discussion on Chinese social media platforms about respecting China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the responsibilities of international brands operating in the Chinese market. Some users called for stronger measures to ensure that foreign companies adhere to these principles, while others demanded more stringent consequences for those who violate them.
In conclusion, Bulgari's statement and subsequent apology have not fully appeased Chinese social media users, who remain vigilant in holding international brands accountable for respecting China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The incident serves as a reminder to foreign companies operating in the Chinese market that they must be aware of the sensitivities surrounding China's territorial claims and be cautious in their representation of these issues.
