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Singles News

Why Starbucks needs to get out of the forbidden city in China.

HONG KONG - The fierce debate among China's webloggers over the operation of a Starbucks outlet in Beijing's Forbidden City was, in fact, started by a deliberate rehash of old pieces of news.

To be fair, the US coffee-shop chain is not at fault in opening an outlet in the Forbidden City. Its operation there is legal. Without official approval, no one can start any commercial operation anywhere in China, let alone in this ancient palace complex.

Starbucks opened the Forbidden City branch on September 18, 2000. The mini-cafe is at the southeastern corner of the Hall of

Preserving Harmony (Baohedian), one of the three most impressive buildings in the complex, which used to be the venue for feasts of the emperors on the eve of the Lunar New Year.

Controversy on the Internet began shortly thereafter. A poll by the popular portal Sina.com showed that more than 70% of nearly 60,000 people surveyed were opposed to Starbucks' entry into the Forbidden City, the main reason being the damaging effect on a Chinese cultural heritage and its atmosphere, according to a report by the People's Daily, on November 24, 2000.

Starbucks was soon forced to remove its trademark green sign in favor of the Chinese characters for Xing Ba Ke, which now adorns the window.

The Starbucks controversy also led to public discussion about the KFC chain that was to be withdrawn from Beihai Park northwest of the Forbidden City.

Singles welcomes your comments on this controversy.

SINGLES FEATURED SINGER

Guido Morgavi

go to Guido's website to hear his hot new song.

guidomorgavi.com