Welcome to Jing Daily's Weekend Sound Bites: a rundown of what industry influencers were saying about the week’s top stories on the business of luxury and culture in China.#
Starbucks is being accused by state media of taking advantage of customers in China. (CafeDuDesign)
—FRIDAY, 10/18 —#
“It’s not uncommon for high-profile foreign companies to attract more attention from the Chinese authorities than their local rivals. We’ve seen it with Apple, Walmart and Carrefour. It’s a cost of doing business in China."
-James Button, Shanghai-based senior manager at consultancy SmithStreet, on recent Chinese media critiques of Starbucks' pricing policies in China. (SCMP)
—THURSDAY, 10/17 —#
"We expect all our UK centres to see a ripple effect as the country prepares itself to welcome more Chinese tourists, who are well-known for their love [of] fashion, and their love of luxury and designer brands."
-Anthony Rippingale, the head of tourism at British fashion outlet retailer McArthurGlen, expressing his happiness about the easing of visa restrictions for Chinese tourists. (Fibre2fashion)
—WEDNESDAY, 10/16 —#
"There will not be meaningful real reform, because general reform will require a leader who will have courage and will hurt the interests of his family and friends."
-Lijia Zhang, social commentator and author, speaking on whether she believes Xi Jinping's corruption crackdown is for real. (CNN)
— TUESDAY, 10/15 —#
"You have to feel sorry for us, we are promised the world and given nothing. Just like dolls we put on make-up to look pretty, hang off the arm like some trophy, only to be lied to and cheated and left out in the cold. I’m glad they post these pictures of them — maybe they will change their ways and treat us better."
-Ling Ling (pseudonym), mistress and karaoke girl, discussing the recent blackmail scandals that occurred as a result of officials' purchases of lavish gifts for their high-end mistresses. (Spears)
— MONDAY, 10/14 —#
“So an hour later he came by my crew as we were shooting, carrying a long air conditioner unit. He walked right up to me and tried to smack my face, but I ducked, threw the air unit on the floor and pushed him away. That’s when the security jumped on him."
-Michael Bay, movie director, on being attacked during the filming of Transformers 4 in Hong Kong. (Variety)