Vietnamese online community react strongly to H&M editing sovereignty-related map
VOV.VN - Vietnamese netizens have taken to social media platforms to share information and pictures about a boycott of fashion brand H&M following the firm’s decision to post a map showing China's illegal nine-dash line, also known as the “cow's tongue”.
The publication of the cow's tongue line by H&M has provoked a passionate response among local people, with news of the H&M boycott quickly spreading across Vietnamese social media.
The official fan page of H&M in Vietnam has been inundated with tens of thousands of comments from local people expressing their outrage and protest, while many have been requesting a clear explanation from the fashion business about this incident.
"A big brand, but H&M does not know right from wrong. If you do not correct the information, please leave Vietnam, do not do business in a country where you do not respect the sovereignty," posted Linh Hoang.
“H&M is also making profits in Vietnam, if you are a Vietnamese, you should boycott this brand. If H&M has needs more profit from Chinese, then anyone who is Vietnamese should not use the product of this brand anymore. We declare a radical boycott of H&M in Vietnam," was an opinion expressed by Trang Po.
“If China does not boycott, Vietnam boycotts! I don't use this brand anymore. I would rather wear cheap clothes than buy branded goods without respect for sea and island sovereignty of my nation," said Bui Manh Trang.
Currently, the Vietnamese online community is unanimously calling for a boycott of all H&M products within the domestic market, while emphasising the slogan of "Hoang Sa (Paracel), Truong Sa (Spratly) islands belong to Vietnam."
This comes after ABC News reported on April 2 that the fashion brand had agreed to modify the map at the request of Chinese authorities.
Previously H&M had also faced a wave of boycotts in China following an increase in tensions between the northern neighbour and the West over human rights issues occurring in the Xinjiang autonomous region.
The Associated Press reported that China has requested several brands, including H&M, display maps which showcase Chinese claims of sovereignty, including the illegal cow's tongue line in the South China Sea, known locally as the East Sea.
At present, the H&M side has yet to offer an official response to this issue.