The United Nation’s Hague Tribunal’s recent ruling regarding the South China Sea has sparked increased anti-American sentiment across the nation.
The ruling determined that China’s claim to the territory was not legal, and that China was violating the sovereignty of other nations by trying to control resources around the hotly contested Paracel and Spratly Islands.
An announcement from the U.S. Navy that they will continue operations in the area has further exacerbated anger in China.
The government has issued two official statements and a white paper sharply disagreeing with the decision of the Tribunal. They have called for an end to what they see as Western interference in their affairs.
Protests Are Heating Up
Chinese citizens have taken to protesting as a result, targeting American brands like Kentucky Fried Chicken. Demonstrators flocked the popular fast food chain, which has more than 4,000 locations in the country. They have targeted at least 11 cities across the country, including Hunan, Shandong, and Jiangsu.
The protesters were holding signage displaying anti-American and anti-Filipino sentiment, and preventing people from entering the establishments.
The outrage hasn’t stopped there. McDonald’s has also been catching protester flack, and reports have surfaced that upset citizens have taken to smashing iPhones and boycotting Filipino imports to show their displeasure with the decision, and their apparent anger at American capitalism.
Government Response
Officially, the Chinese government does not support these outbursts, in spite of their own gripes against the ruling. They have denied that there is any boycott against Filipino products.
The government has also called for both “passion and rationality” in equal measure. They have also stated that the illegal actions of protesters are not true patriotism.
That sounds promising, but it is interesting to note that the same quote, which can be viewed on China’s largest paper, People’s Daily, admits that there will be a “tit-for-tat approach” in regards to events following the South China Sea decision. That’s more than enough to make one wonder about their true stance.
It’s not likely that the sour feelings will sort themselves out anytime soon. At the moment protesters are still going strong, and the Chinese government plans on continuing their work in the South China Sea, despite the ruling’s insistence to the contrary.
Watch KFC and iPhone take the wrath:
https://youtu.be/gy9svuoOzHQ
Watch the protesters at KFC:
https://youtu.be/s8JXpNl6_fE
Featured Image: Screenshot Of YouTube Video.
