Over the past week there have been street protests, including demonstrations outside Carrefour stores, apparently organised at grass roots level by ordinary Chinese citizens.
Anti-Western sentiment has been inflamed by the protests over the country's claims to Tibet, which took place when the Olympic torch passed through countries including France, Britain and the US.
It has now formed into calls for a boycott, with crowds in the central city of Wuhan carrying banners stating "Say no to French goods".
KFC faces a boycott on June 1, International Children's Day, typically a day for Chinese parents to take their children to Western fast food restaurants.
According to the Sunday Telegraph, websites targeting KFC and Carrefour have been set up by 24-year-old IT worker Kong Zenquiang.
One particular incident in Paris where pro-Tibet protesters tried to wrestle the torch away from a disabled Chinese athlete, Jin Jing, has resulted in particular criticism towards France.
CNN and the BBC have also come under fire for perceived bias in the way they have reported on Tibet.
China is well known for monitoring its overseas student community and the Independent reported that Canadian and Australian secret services have uncovered monitoring and organisation of Chinese student groups by embassy staff.
Comments
I think it may well be about time that we in the UK began thinking about, perhaps "actually" boycotting chinese made goods, and continue over the longer term with such a protest, and thereby perhaps we in the UK can start getting back a little bit of real manufacturing, so badly needed.
China had better realise that they are thriving because of us in the West, and if they do not toe the line, as regards Human Rights, they may find themselves, back scratching around a rice bowl.
Although I agree with the above comment on the UK manufacturing situation - you have to feel sorry for the Chinese as due to their restricted access to global information by the government - this is prbably the first many citizens have heard of Tibet's problems and that of the Olympic torch.
Well, I imagine the price of consumer goods would absolutely rocket if we refused to import from China, so that is a pretty shoddy idea really. Costs in the UK are high enough, I'd rather just keep importing from China thanks. I'm sure those companies being boycotted would also disagree with the view that China is thriving "because of the West". I would say its a bit of both, we get cheap goods from them, they get money from us, which in turn they spend in Western firms, pretty basic really.
I think that the UK press needs to report on the two wars we have started and the implications of that before we start critcising other countires.
The UK press continuously covers the wars we've started and the implications to the people there. It may not be the most biased or honest opinions or journalism, but compared to what we used to get 50years ago it is a vast improvement.
Its each persons right to voice their opinion on the matter. I do not feel as imformed as i should be on the Tibet and China issue
I can't imagine that what we see of these wars is the whole truth and nothing but the truth...
I can see this situation getting very messy as these Global Brands can't afford to lose the support of the Chinese people, but at the same time they can not be seen to be turning their back on their own Western values without alienating the rest of the world!
I tell you what, i'm fine boycotting KFC, its too expensive anyway,
I'd much rather have a Junior Spesh at SFC for one pound and fifty pence, why would you eat anywhere else? Chicken, chips and a drink for one pound and fifty pence, bargain.
Keiths Fried Chicken is a personal favourite of mine, you get a free disease with each meal.
It could be worse, my friend ate at ZFC and got aids from a Zakis fried rat
There is plenty of coverage of the Afghan conflicts Klara. You're probably one of those people who thinks that fighting the Taliban is wrong. Why don't you try being a journalist or a woman there.
Will you get upset if we criticise other despotic regimes as well? Like Arab states with appalling human rights records?
Ha Keith it was';t actually aimed at you, i do live near a Keiths fired chicken. I'm sorry to her about your friend getting a disease from one of my rats though, one obviously slipped through my quality control.
The average semen content in a KFC Chicken Zinger is 9%. Of this 4% is Chinese.
The average semen content in a KFC Chicken Zinger is 9%. Of this 4% is Chinese.
The average semen content in a KFC Chicken Zinger is 9%. Of this 4% is Chinese.
The average semen content in a KFC Chicken Zinger is 9%. Of this 4% is Chinese.
The average semen content in a KFC Chicken Zinger is 9%. Of this 4% is Chinese.
*They* are boycotting *our* goods? Give me a break. Get your act together re Tibet, human rights, open markets, carbon footprint, a transparent bureaucracy free from cronyism and corruption, et al...
Well said David L-J!
The treatment of Tibetans by the Chinese is something that the West has conveniently ignored for far too long.
Boycotting can work both ways!
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Comments
Mark Doherty - 21/04/2008
I think it may well be about time that we in the UK began thinking about, perhaps "actually" boycotting chinese made goods, and continue over the longer term with such a protest, and thereby perhaps we in the UK can start getting back a little bit of real manufacturing, so badly needed. China had better realise that they are thriving because of us in the West, and if they do not toe the line, as regards Human Rights, they may find themselves, back scratching around a rice bowl.
Jason More - 21/04/2008
Although I agree with the above comment on the UK manufacturing situation - you have to feel sorry for the Chinese as due to their restricted access to global information by the government - this is prbably the first many citizens have heard of Tibet's problems and that of the Olympic torch.
Alan Kilroy - 21/04/2008
Well, I imagine the price of consumer goods would absolutely rocket if we refused to import from China, so that is a pretty shoddy idea really. Costs in the UK are high enough, I'd rather just keep importing from China thanks. I'm sure those companies being boycotted would also disagree with the view that China is thriving "because of the West". I would say its a bit of both, we get cheap goods from them, they get money from us, which in turn they spend in Western firms, pretty basic really.
klara zakis - 21/04/2008
I think that the UK press needs to report on the two wars we have started and the implications of that before we start critcising other countires.
Keith Allen - 21/04/2008
The UK press continuously covers the wars we've started and the implications to the people there. It may not be the most biased or honest opinions or journalism, but compared to what we used to get 50years ago it is a vast improvement. Its each persons right to voice their opinion on the matter. I do not feel as imformed as i should be on the Tibet and China issue
Ross Thompson - 21/04/2008
I can't imagine that what we see of these wars is the whole truth and nothing but the truth... I can see this situation getting very messy as these Global Brands can't afford to lose the support of the Chinese people, but at the same time they can not be seen to be turning their back on their own Western values without alienating the rest of the world!
Keith Allen - 21/04/2008
I tell you what, i'm fine boycotting KFC, its too expensive anyway, I'd much rather have a Junior Spesh at SFC for one pound and fifty pence, why would you eat anywhere else? Chicken, chips and a drink for one pound and fifty pence, bargain.
klara zakis - 21/04/2008
Keiths Fried Chicken is a personal favourite of mine, you get a free disease with each meal.
Keith Allen - 21/04/2008
It could be worse, my friend ate at ZFC and got aids from a Zakis fried rat
Hal Clarke - 21/04/2008
There is plenty of coverage of the Afghan conflicts Klara. You're probably one of those people who thinks that fighting the Taliban is wrong. Why don't you try being a journalist or a woman there. Will you get upset if we criticise other despotic regimes as well? Like Arab states with appalling human rights records?
klara zakis - 21/04/2008
Ha Keith it was';t actually aimed at you, i do live near a Keiths fired chicken. I'm sorry to her about your friend getting a disease from one of my rats though, one obviously slipped through my quality control.
ceaser Wood - 21/04/2008
The average semen content in a KFC Chicken Zinger is 9%. Of this 4% is Chinese.
ceaser Wood - 21/04/2008
The average semen content in a KFC Chicken Zinger is 9%. Of this 4% is Chinese.
ceaser Wood - 21/04/2008
The average semen content in a KFC Chicken Zinger is 9%. Of this 4% is Chinese.
ceaser Wood - 21/04/2008
The average semen content in a KFC Chicken Zinger is 9%. Of this 4% is Chinese.
ceaser Wood - 21/04/2008
The average semen content in a KFC Chicken Zinger is 9%. Of this 4% is Chinese.
ceaser Wood - 21/04/2008
?
David Llewelyn-Jones - 21/04/2008
*They* are boycotting *our* goods? Give me a break. Get your act together re Tibet, human rights, open markets, carbon footprint, a transparent bureaucracy free from cronyism and corruption, et al...
admin admin - 21/04/2008
Well said David L-J! The treatment of Tibetans by the Chinese is something that the West has conveniently ignored for far too long. Boycotting can work both ways!