Fans slam Canto-pop star Eason Chan for cutting ties with Adidas amid Xinjiang cotton row
- Chan steps down as marketing figure for sportswear company that is boycotting the export over rights concerns
- Pro-establishment lawmaker Regina Ip vows to shun Burberry, which has also taken a stand, and will put away her scarves
Canto-pop superstar Eason Chan Yik-shun is the latest Hong Kong performer to face a public backlash from some fans after announcing he is cutting ties with Adidas over its rejection of Xinjiang cotton.
A string of Chinese celebrities have cut ties with the companies as a result, while several big names in Hong Kong have publicly expressed support for buying Xinjiang cotton, including Joey Yung, singer Pakho Chau Pak-ho, actor Jordan Chan Siu-chun and actress “Angelababy” Angel Yeung Wing. Pro-government politicians also stated they would avoid buying products from the Western brands.
In a move that surprised many of his fans, Eason Chan, 46, announced on Thursday his company My Kan Wonderland Limited would no longer be a brand ambassador for Adidas.
“This company and its artist Mr Eason Chan resolutely boycott any behaviour vilifying China. Starting from today, we will terminate all collaborations with the Adidas brand,” the post on Weibo said.
While his Facebook page did not mention the decision, thousands of people flooded his page with comments sharply critical of the move. Some vowed to no longer attend his concerts or buy his albums.
“I am heartbroken and utterly speechless. This is not the Eason Chan I loved,” wrote Joel Chu on her own Facebook page. “How could he turn a blind eye to the condition of human rights just because he wants to earn money in China? I stop supporting him from now on. Shame on him!”