| I visited the Starbucks in The Forbidden City during April this year. At the time I was unaware of this issue, although I thought it curious when someone tried to take a photo inside, and the staff stopped them. On the whole I tend to agree that a Starbucks, or any retail outlet is inappropriate within the Forbidden City. The store was located in a small corner of the 'official' gift shop. I don't really feel that even this gift shop should be there. Regarding the 'Chinese' signs debate, there are a huge number of english branded stores in Shanghai. This is a symptom of China's economical development. However, as a (UK)westerner I feel that it is important not to dilute China's identity, and the 'english' branding should be secondary (as a concession to the desire for Chinese to learn English). My wife is Shanghainese, (and for the record she moved to the UK in 1999 and we met in 2003. see 'Shanghainese girls marrying foreigners'03/20/2007) and she also takes the view that the national identity of China is being eroded, particularly in Shanghai, but throughout the country as a whole. |
Starbucks Finally Closed in the Forbidden City