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China Puts Lid on Macchiatos, Controversy

Beijing—respectfully—forbids Starbucks in Forbidden City

By NewsDude ,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 15, 2007 11:50 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Starbucks has closed its outlet in Beijing's Forbidden City after seven years of controversy. The coffee shop had become a symbol for the intrusion of foreign culture in China's heritage, culminating in protests and government intervention. "It was a very congenial decision," a Starbucks official said. "We respect what they are doing."

Starbucks was offered, but elected not to accept, the opportunity to become part of a combined beverage outlet under the Forbidden City's brand. Still, the loss of the outlet is not expected to slow appreciably Starbucks' growth in China where the company already has 250 stores.

A tourist walks past the windows to an outlet of Starbucks at the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, in this Jan. 18, 2007 file photo. China's imperial palace has closed its Starbucks outlet following protests led by a state TV personality against the coffeehouse's presence at the major Chinese cultural...
A tourist walks past the windows to an outlet of Starbucks at the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, in this Jan. 18, 2007 file photo. China's imperial palace has closed its Starbucks outlet following...   (Associated Press)
A tourist drinks a coffee outside the Starbucks coffee shop in...
A tourist drinks a coffee outside the Starbucks coffee shop in...   (Getty Images)
Visitors walk near the padlocked door of the closed Starbucks outlet in Beijing's Forbidden City Saturday, July 14, 2007. China's imperial palace, known as the Forbidden City, closed its Starbucks outlet Friday following protests led by a state TV personality against the coffeehouse's presence at a major Chinese cultural site....
Visitors walk near the padlocked door of the closed Starbucks outlet in Beijing's Forbidden City Saturday, July 14, 2007. China's imperial palace, known as the Forbidden City, closed its Starbucks outlet...   (Associated Press)
Visitors sit in front of the closed Starbucks outlet in Beijing's Forbidden City Saturday, July 14, 2007. China's imperial palace, known as the Forbidden City, closed its Starbucks outlet Friday following protests led by a state TV personality against the coffeehouse's presence at a major Chinese cultural site. (AP Photo/Greg...
Visitors sit in front of the closed Starbucks outlet in Beijing's Forbidden City Saturday, July 14, 2007. China's imperial palace, known as the Forbidden City, closed its Starbucks outlet Friday following...   (Associated Press)
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