In a recent surge of what can be called a ‘nationalist fervour’, Chinese patriots, or known as “Little Pinks” have once again unleashed their anti-Japanese sentiments. This time they are targeting the well-known Chinese beverage company Nongfu Spring. The controversy erupted after the death of the founder of Wahaha. Wahaha is China’s largest food and beverage company and a competitor of Nongfu Spring. Many nationalists began comparing products from Wahaha and Nongfu Spring. Soon they were launching verbal attacks on the founder and chairman of Nongfu Spring, Zhong Shanshan. The situation worsened when they discovered that Nongfu Spring’s packaging included some Japanese elements. Critics claimed that using these elements was an act of pandering to Japan and an insult to China. ‘Fuel was added to the fire’ when it was revealed that Zhong Shanshan’s son holds an American citizenship. Many accused him of betrayal against the country. These caused a widespread boycott of Nongfu Spring products, which resulted in a decline in the company’s daily sales by over 90 per cent. Additionally, the company’s stock price plummeted which saw the company lose 40 billion Hong Kong dollars
in market value from March 1 to March 11. Meanwhile, it has been reported that Wahaha’s product sales experienced an increase of 90-fold.
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Another China’s Giant and Richest Man Fall to ‘Little Pinks’: China Revisits Cultural Revolution Era
