Coffee chain giant the latest brand to feel the lash of Chinese resentment against foreign players

Rui Chenggang, a CCTV anchor, last week posted entries on his Sina and CCTV blogs saying the location of the outlet "tramples on Chinese culture" According to Chinese media, over half a million people have already signed his petition to have that branch shut down.

However, a statement issued by Eden Woon, Starbuck's Greater China VP, made no mention of closing the branch. "While we have been welcomed by many Chinese since the beginning, we understand the recent concerns regarding a presence within the museum area. Ever since our entry into China, we have been involved in the local community and its culture," the statement read.

The decision to have the coffee shop there has always courted controversy, causing similar uproar when it was first opened in 2000. Until now, all protests have been ignored. However, Rui's petition appears to be having an effect, as the museum which runs the Starbucks outlet is reviewing the lease and has promised to have a solution by June.
Rui puts his success down to the internet: "The Starbucks was put here six years ago, but back then, we didn't have blogs. This campaign is living proof of the power of the web."

A PR agency source described the situation as a delicate balancing act for Starbucks. "It may be wise for them to start making plans about how to communicate if their lease is not renewed," said the souce. "It would be better to withdraw gracefully than to be thrown out."

Danwei, a media blog in China, gauged the opinion of a select group of Beijingers and found points of view on the issue varied. One interviewee said "getting the hell out of the Forbidden City is the right thing to do" while another responded, "sounds good, it must be cool sitting there for coffee and chatting".

The blog points out that 'views about the affair expressed on the Chinese internet are very diverse'.

The internet is an active outlet of Chinese resentment against foreign firms that are perceived to cheapen Chinese culture. KFC, Toyota and Nippon have all previously fallen victim to online campaigns against their use of Chinese traditional characters and symbols.

Rui may turn his attention to American Express next after saying he loathes their sponsorship signs which proclaim 'made possible by American Express'.