Chinese artists begin boycott of Vitasoy to cancel endorsements

The Hong Kong Vitasoy company mourned the suicide of an employee who attacked a police officer, sparking discontent among mainland netizens and threatening a boycott, and a statement from the mainland spokesperson artists to stop cooperation. Vitasoy spokesman, mainland Chinese artists Ren Jialun and Gong Jun’s company issued a statement on the evening of the 2nd, announcing the termination of all cooperation with the Vitasoy brand. However, Vitasoy issued another statement, expressing support for the Hong Kong police investigation in accordance with the National Security Law and for the stability and development of mainland China and Hong Kong. The message did not mention whether Vitasoy has other regions, other endorsers.

According to a Central News Agency report today, Chinese artists interrupted the endorsement of Vitasoy, a statement of support for the stability of land and Hong Kong.

At 0:30 a.m. today, Vitasoy Ltd. issued a statement on its official Weibo account, saying that the group fully supports the Hong Kong authorities in their comprehensive investigation of the case under the National Security Law, and that Vitasoy Group and Vitasoy Ltd. operating in mainland China are committed to supporting the stability, prosperity and development of mainland China and Hong Kong.

According to the report, the controversy began on the evening of January 1, when a 50-year-old man in Hong Kong stabbed a police officer who was on patrol outside the Sogo Department Store in Causeway Bay, and then committed suicide, while the officer remained in the hospital for treatment. It was the 24th anniversary of the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong to China and the first anniversary of the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong.

On July 2, Vitasoy International issued an internal notice titled “Concerning the death of a colleague in an accident,” saying that Leung Kin-fai, the purchasing director of the Hong Kong purchasing department, had “unfortunately passed away” in the July 1 incident in Causeway Bay, and sent his family’s deepest condolences.

The announcement sparked discontent among many Chinese netizens, who went to Vitasoy’s official Weibo account and asked, “How can you kill a police officer and then commit suicide and call it an unfortunate death?” They criticized Vitasoy for “supporting terrorists” and told the “Hong Kong independent milk” to get out of China, threatening to boycott Vitasoy products with immediate effect.

The spokesperson of Vitasoy, mainland Chinese artist Ren Jialun and Gong Jun’s company issued a statement on the evening of the 2nd, announcing the termination of all cooperation with the Vitasoy brand.

The Central News Agency said, in the storm gradually expanding, Vitasoy early morning issued another statement, expressed support for the legal investigation and support the stability of mainland China and Hong Kong.