BEIJING - Feb 6,2018
Mercedes-Benz issued an apology in China on Tuesday for quoting the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader who is reviled by Beijing, on social media abroad in a reflection of foreign companies' heightened sensitivity to the Communist government's possible reaction to their global activities.
The Dalai Lama quote — "Look at situations from all angles, and you will become more open" — appeared Monday on Mercedes's account on Instagram, one of a number of foreign social media services Beijing tries to prevent China's public from seeing. Chinese web surfers with access to technology that allows them to see past the filters copied it onto domestic social media.
In a statement on its Chinese social media account, the unit of Daimler AG did not mention the Dalai Lama but apologized for "wrong information" that "hurt the feelings of Chinese people."
The company statement promised to "take concrete action to deepen our understanding, including colleagues abroad, of Chinese culture and values."
Beijing rejects accusations of human rights and other abuses as improper interference in its affairs but is increasingly assertive about demanding other governments enforce its political positions in their own countries.
Tibet is especially sensitive for Beijing - one of a handful of "core interests" over which Chinese say they would go to war.
Mercedes-Benz issued an apology in China on Tuesday for quoting the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader who is reviled by Beijing, on social media abroad in a reflection of foreign companies' heightened sensitivity to the Communist government's possible reaction to their global activities.
The Dalai Lama quote — "Look at situations from all angles, and you will become more open" — appeared Monday on Mercedes's account on Instagram, one of a number of foreign social media services Beijing tries to prevent China's public from seeing. Chinese web surfers with access to technology that allows them to see past the filters copied it onto domestic social media.
In a statement on its Chinese social media account, the unit of Daimler AG did not mention the Dalai Lama but apologized for "wrong information" that "hurt the feelings of Chinese people."
The company statement promised to "take concrete action to deepen our understanding, including colleagues abroad, of Chinese culture and values."
Beijing rejects accusations of human rights and other abuses as improper interference in its affairs but is increasingly assertive about demanding other governments enforce its political positions in their own countries.
Tibet is especially sensitive for Beijing - one of a handful of "core interests" over which Chinese say they would go to war.
