Reuters reports that The Forbidden City coffee shop has opened in the former Chinese imperial palace in Beijing. It replaces a Starbucks.
According to Reuters:
The Starbucks outlet opened in 2000 prompting a media backlash so severe that museum authorities considered revoking its lease after a couple of months. In recent years it had operated without the usual outdoor corporate Starbucks bunting.
A campaign for its closure began building early this year, when a television anchor complained that the U.S. chain’s presence at the symbolic heart of the Chinese nation was trampling on Chinese culture. It finally closed in July.
The new cafe is managed by the Museum authority, and, according to a spokesperson, carries traditional Chinese beverages like tea, in addition to coffee.
Link.
Image via Wikipedia.
