Netizens vow boycott of Philippine mango

BEIJING: If Japanese cars and goods were targeted during a wave of anti-Tokyo protests four years ago, the unlikely symbol of Chinese ire against a tribunal’s ruling

BEIJING: If Japanese cars and goods were targeted during a wave of anti-Tokyo protests four years ago, the unlikely symbol of Chinese ire against a tribunal’s ruling this week against China’s claims on the South China Sea is the highly rated Philippines mango.

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Considered a top variety worldwide, mangoes from Philippines are popular in China, where they are imported and consumed in large quantities. The dried variety of the fruit too is widely available across China in mom-and-pop stores and 24-hour convenience shops.

Not any more, if one is a true Chinese patriot. Online groups are urging Chinese citizens to boycott man goes from the Philippines to protest against The Hague- based Permanent Court of Arbitration’ s( PC A) decision that went in favour of Manila and against Beijing. On Tuesday, a tribunal set up by the PCA said China had no historic rights over islands in the South China Sea and that Beijing had violated Manila’ s maritime rights. A subsequent online“ruling” by some Chinese social media groups apparently says Filipino companies have no right to sell man goes in China. The nationalistic Global Times tabloid reported online groups had urged traders on Tao-bao, C hi na’ s biggest online retailer, not to buy man goes from the Philippines.

BBC reported slogans such as “If you want to eat mango, buy Thailand’ s” and“Starve the Filipinos to death” being circulated on Weibo.