(Ecns.cn)-- Starbucks' latest marketing efforts in China—selling mugs and bottles featuring an image of Bao Zheng or "Bao Gong," an ancient Chinese judge—was strongly criticized by the descendants of the renowned judge, www.hf365.com reported.
The mugs are being sold in its new branch in the city of Hefei, the capital of central China's Anhui Province. Bao Zheng, who was born in present-day Feidong County near the city of Hefei, was a senior official of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).
Bao Xun'an, a 36th-generation descendent of Bao Zheng, argued that the image of Bao Zheng on the Starbucks mugs and bottles has a foreigner's face which looks really absurd.
Bao is also the head of an association that studies and promotes Bao's spirit of integrity. He said the protest was not for money. "We are not looking for money and will not accept 1 cent from Starbucks," he said, after being accused of "asking for money" from the Seattle-based coffee chain, adding that he just tried to develop and expand the spirit of upright officials.
He was highly esteemed for his strictness in upholding justice and opposing corruption, no matter how powerful the offending party was. He is considered one of the most famous representative figures of upright officials since Song Dynasty.
The mugs, priced at 90 yuan (about $14) each, were immensely popular, with more than 100 sold in less than two hours after the store opened on August 7, said a sales representative from the store.
Bao said his association has a patent for "Bao Gong" logos, arguing that the foreign company's marketing strategy is disrespectful and might even be a violation of intellectual property rights. He called for Starbucks to stop selling the mugs and bottles, recall the sold ones, and return the money to buyers.
Li Jing, the Public Relations Manager of Starbucks Greater China said the image was designed and hand-sketched by its mug suppliers in accordance with Bao Zheng's figure in the memorial temple, adding that the company is "closely monitoring the situation."
