“Starbucks should move its store out of the Forbidden City,” an article published on CCTV anchorman* Rui Chenggang’s blog*, sparked heated debate among the media and netizens.

Rui: It damages

Chinese culture

Rui Chenggang, an anchorman of “BizChina and Newslist,” the prime-time daily English business show on CCTV, said in his blog on January 12: “It’s not appropriate* that Starbucks set up its coffee shop in the Forbidden City since it’s in some way damaging Chinese culture.” The article attracted netizens’ attention immediately and aroused heated debates.

Starbucks: We have

no plan to leave

In another article dated January 14, a reply from Jim Donald, CEO of Starbucks Corp., said: “We have made serious efforts to fit within the environment of the Forbidden City.”

Starbucks’ senior official Eden Woon was quoted by the Beijing News as saying the company had no plan to leave the site.

“We have provided a welcome place of rest for thousands of tourists, both Chinese and foreigners, for more than six years. We are honored to have the opportunity, under an agreement with the Forbidden City, to enhance visitors’ museum experience,” he said.

Forbidden City: We are

trying to find a solution

Feng Nai’en, spokesman for the Forbidden City, said: “Currently, we’re discussing this with Starbucks and trying to find a good solution by June.”

“Whether or not Starbucks remains depends on the entire design plan that will be released* in the first half of the year,” Feng said.

Feng also said they shared the profit from Starbucks but they would not make sacrifices* when economic profit is in conflict* with heritage* protection rules.

Media: It’s more a loss

than gain

“It’s hard to agree with the fact that a Starbucks coffee shop is in the Forbidden City,” said an article published in Beijing Youth Daily, January 17. The article said the solemn* Forbidden City is the gathering of traditional Chinese cultures. A coffee shop from abroad seems to him ridiculous*.

Another Xinhua News Agency article said the Forbidden City is the symbol of China and “For just petty profits, it’s not worth the candle*.”

Netizens: Hope to see a

harmonious Forbidden City

Most of the netizens agreed that Starbucks should move its shop out of the Forbidden City.

“Judging from the picture, it doesn’t really match the Forbidden City,” a netizen said, “Not all the things can be brought together.”

Another netizen said he hoped to see a harmonious* Forbidden City.

(Christy Zhong)