H&M sparks outrage in Vietnam after reportedly toeing China's "nine-dash" line over South China Sea

Record ID: 1609579

  • Title: H&M sparks outrage in Vietnam after reportedly toeing China's "nine-dash" line over South China Sea
  • Date: 5th April 2021
  • Summary: HANOI, VIETNAM (APRIL 5, 2021) (REUTERS) FLOWER SELLER PUSHING CART IN FRONT OF CAFE VARIOUS OF CAFÉ GOERS SITTING AND LOOKING AT PHONES (SOUNDBITE) (Vietnamese) 48-YEAR-OLD HANOI RESIDENT, TRINH THUY VAN, SAYING: "If they do show that map, we will have to boycott them. I will not use their merchandise because it is unacceptable for them to use that nine-dash line in Viet
  • Embargoed: 19th April 2021 10:31
  • Keywords: 9 dash line H&M South China Sea brand clothing map territorial dispute
  • Location: HANOI, VIETNAM / INTERNET
  • City: HANOI, VIETNAM / INTERNET
  • Country: Vietnam
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Economic Events
  • Reuters ID: LVA005E78UJYL
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Vietnamese social media users are calling for a boycott of H&M, accusing the Swedish retailer of complying to requests by Chinese authorities to include Beijing's territorial claims over the South China Sea on a map on its website.
    According to Hong Kong newspaper the South China Morning Post, last week a branch of the Shanghai government had ordered H&M to display China's territorial claims over the South China Sea on a map on its website, which is represented by a nine-dash line that China uses to claim 90% of the disputed waters.
    The map with a nine-dash line remains unviewable on H&M's website, but news of the "correction" sparked fury across Vietnamese social media, with posts calling for a nationwide boycott of H&M. Vietnam has been one of the most vocal regional opponents to what it sees as Chinese overreach in the South China Sea and its disregard for boundaries outlined in international maritime law.
    Residents in Hanoi said they support the call for a boycott.
    "If they do show that map, we will have to boycott them. I will not use their merchandise because it is unacceptable for them to use that nine-dash map in Vietnam," said Hanoi resident Trinh Thuy Van.
    H&M, which only operates 12 stores in Vietnam, has yet to comment on the issue.
    The company has faced backlash in China in recent days after it voiced concerns last year about alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Last week, H&M said it would work to win back trust in China after a statement it had made in 2020 about sourcing cotton there resurfaced on social media.
    (Production: Thinh Nguyen, Minh Nguyen)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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