Chinese businesses and consumers hit back against THAAD

Chinese businesses and consumers are boycotting South Korean products, and even refusing South Korean customers, in protest of the South's military agreement to use the THAAD defence system.

South Korea

The sign that restaurant manager Zhi Xin Zhong was forced to take down. Source: SBS News

The suburb of Wangjing in northeast Beijing is known as 'Little South Korea' but while many South Koreans live here, they are not always welcome. 

For months restaurant manager Zhi Xin Zhong hung a sign in his establishment's front window saying "we do not serve South Koreans."

"The reason we're not hosting South Korean people is because of the THAAD missile system, which is hurting China and therefore each staff member who works here," Mr Zhi said.

Complaints forced him to take the sign down, but the manager's policy hasn't changed. Across the street banners advertising another restaurant have been altered, the words 'South Korean BBQ' taped over.

And anti-South Korea sentiment isn't being felt only in Beijing. Sales of South Korean goods all over the country have been affected, thanks in part to editorials in Chinese state media, who have urged boycotts of the country's products.

China is furious over South Korea's agreement to use America's THAAD defence system to counter a missile threat from North Korea. 

Beijing said the technology will provoke a regional arms race, and can be used to spy on its territory.

China has retaliated with a range of unofficial economic sanctions, including blocking K-pop music and television shows online and barring tour groups from visiting South Korea.

"Basically this is their way of saying stop going ahead with this or you're going to feel the financial pressure from our side," Shanghai-based analyst Adam Jourdan said.

South Korean grocery giant Lotte has been forced to shut more than half its outlets in China.

Officials said the stores breached safety regulations, and deny any connection with THAAD, but South Korean students at Beijing's Peking University said the backlash is obvious.  

"The economic sanctions on South Korea aren't in line with the free trade China has always promoted," said second year international relations student Guen Hyeok Ryu.

Hakjun Kim has been living and studying in China for more than ten years. He said tensions are higher than ever.

"South Korean students and South Koreans in China, we're nervous, so we try to avoid negative confrontations with Chinese," he said.

Dongchan Son, a student representative, said the student community have been given warnings.

"We've sent out notices to reduce night time activities and mind how you express your opinions."

Staff at the noodle restaurant said banning South Korean customers is a matter of protest, not prejudice.

"If THAAD is stopped, we will welcome back our South Korean friends and give them free meals," manager Zhi Xin said.

But so long as THAAD continues, their doors remain closed.

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3 min read

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By Katrina Yu


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Chinese businesses and consumers hit back against THAAD | SBS News