Xiaomi put up ‘Made In India” banners at shops amid anti-China sentiments
Chinese tech firm Xiaomi has put up giant banners saying “Made In India” outside its showrooms in India, in an apparent bid to counter growing sentiments to boycott Chinese products following a recent border clash between the two countries.
The Agence France-Presse reported that Xiaomi, which has the largest share of the smartphone market and also factories in India, recently covered its logo outside its showrooms with banners stating “Made In India”.
Jignesh, a Xiaomi shop owner in Mumbai, said he acted on the company’s instruction to do that to protect the shop from damage that could happen amid rising anti-China sentiments.
"But market demand for Xiaomi smartphones has not come down at all and people are still happy to spend on them," he said.
At least 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a brutal brawl with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in a disputed area in the Himalayan Galwan Valley on June 15.
The clash, the first fatal one between the two countries in 45 years, has triggered massive anti-China protests in India. Some consumers have launched online campaigns calling for people to boycott Chinese goods.
Indian media reported that a village near the city of Pune has recently passed a resolution banning the use of Chinese products and machineries in any projects in its jurisdiction.
The resolution by the Kondhawe-Dhawade village also appealed to local shop owners, particularly mobile phone vendors, to stop selling Chinese brands and give priority to Indian products.
Village head Nintin Dhawade said the decision was made heeding the sentiments of villagers.
Kevin Tsui, an associate professor of economics at Clemson University in the U.S., said in an interview with Apple Daily that boycotts launched by consumers are usually not that effective because it is difficult these days to tell the origins of products.
“Average consumers will find it hard to determine where the products come from,” he said, “unless India is to impose a ban or raise tariffs on Chinese products, the boycotts will be short-lived and have but a small impact.”
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