Chinese internet users call for boycott of BNP Paribas over worker’s support for Hong Kong protest

French bank apologises for ‘offence caused by a social media post that was expressed on one of our employees’ personal accounts’

Lender also criticised for referring to Hong Kong and Taiwan as locations on its website

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French bank BNP Paribas is the latest firm to come under attack from China’s sensitive internet users. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:03pm, 18 Sep 2019Updated: 10:47am, 19 Sep 2019

Internet users in China are calling for a boycott of French bank BNP Paribas after discovering that one of its employees in Hong Kong apparently supports the city’s anti-government protesters, and noticing that the company refers to Hong Kong and Taiwan as locations on its website.

Since last week, China’s Twitter-like service Weibo has been flooded with accusations that the unidentified worker posted messages on Facebook calling for independence for Hong Kong. Many said the bank should take action against the person.

The bank worker was apparently in favour of the pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong. Photo: May Tse

In a statement issued on Friday, BNP said: “We deeply apologise for the offence caused by a social media post that was expressed on one of our employees’ personal accounts.”

It did not name the individual but said the “views expressed in the post do not reflect the views of BNP Paribas”.

We expect all of our employees to communicate respectfully at all times and we strongly condemn any action or behaviour that contributes to division

BNP Paribas

“We have spoken to the employee, who has since deleted the post, and we have taken immediate action regarding the matter.” It did not elaborate.

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