Starbucks in the Forbidden City has some Chinese aghast

Tourists drink coffee Tuesday in the Starbucks cafe in Beijing's Forbidden City

BEIJING (AP) -- To weary visitors, Starbucks' tiny store amid the sprawling majesty of the imperial-era Forbidden City in Beijing is a welcome chance to rest with a frothy latte.

For some Chinese, however, the U.S. chain's opening two months ago in the ancient home of China's emperors is an act of American economic and cultural domination in one of their proudest national monuments -- and on Tuesday they said they wanted the Yankees to go home.

"Tell some Chinese about the coffee shop and they react as if shaken to their soul. 'God!' they exclaim, 'Not the Forbidden City!"' the official China Consumer Journal groused.

Growing controversy about the Starbucks outlet prompted employees to remove its trademark round green signs from outside the shop Tuesday, making it virtually impossible to distinguish from the dozens of gift shops dotting the massive complex of palaces and courtyards where China's emperors once lived.

Administrators in charge of the 600-year-old palace were meeting to consider additional steps, which could include revoking Starbucks' one-year lease, said the manager of a neighboring store, who refused to be identified by name.

Such action wouldn't be completely without precedent. In April, city authorities ordered Kentucky Fried Chicken to close its store in Beihai Park, a scenic imperial garden near the Forbidden City, when its lease expires in 2002.

The hoopla underscores the mixed emotions many Chinese have toward the sweeping changes, Western influences and commercialism brought by two decades of market reforms.

On Internet chat rooms, where criticism first surfaced after the coffee shop opened September 27, users lamented officials' approval of the store, saying it reflected a get-rich-quick mentality. Most Internet chat room comment Tuesday was negative.

Supporters, however, said it was unfair to single out Starbucks, noting that the Forbidden City was already awash in commercialism.

A stroll through the palace reveals outdoor stands advertising Fuji Film and, in summer, Coca-Cola. Even large map boards that aid tourists in navigating the alleyways and great halls bear the logo of a sponsor, American Express.

The president of Starbucks Coffee Asia Pacific Ltd., Pedro Man, defended the Forbidden City shop, saying it was designed with local sensitivities in mind.

"Starbucks strives to respect the local cultural heritage in every country where it does business," said Man. "With regard to the Forbidden City store, it was a landmark location and we worked closely with the Forbidden City Museum authorities in respecting the historical relevance of the site."

Judging by the more than 100 people who purchase drinks at the coffee shop everyday, plenty are happy with the Forbidden City's newest addition, said David Sun, president of Beijing Meida Coffee Co., which runs all of Seattle-based Starbucks' outlets in the Chinese capital.

"We're there purely to provide a quality drink. It's a simple proposition," Sun said.

The shop that triggered the furor is modest, located in a small traditional red-walled building near the towering Hall of Preserving Harmony, where emperors once celebrated Chinese New Year with feasts.

There's barely room to sip a frappuccino between the shop's espresso machine and its two wooden tables and six chairs. But the store's two employees were kept busy Tuesday serving a steady stream of sightseers, most foreign, who stepped in out of the winter cold for a warm drink.

"We welcome the coffee shop," said Wen Junhua, who works at a gift shop that shares the building with Starbucks.

"It draws in foreigners, who prefer coffee over our Chinese tea. And while they drink, they wander over to our displays and buy. Everyone benefits."

Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The politics of coffee
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Travel Guide to Forbidden City

China 2000 link on business in Beijing
China Now link on the Forbidden City, the Palace Museum
Starbucks

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