Chinese dairy company Feihe faced significant social media backlash after announcing a technical cooperation agreement with Japanese biotech firm Kyowa Kirin on October 3rd. The controversy emerged amid heightened anti-Japanese sentiment in China following the tragic stabbing death of a Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen on September 18th.
After the announcement of their joint innovation laboratory for developing fermented lactoferrin production technology, false claims began circulating on Chinese social media. These included allegations that Feihe was receiving Japanese investment and importing Japanese raw materials. Some netizens connected this to concerns about Japan’s nuclear wastewater release, leading to calls for boycotts and expressions of distrust regarding Japanese involvement in products for Chinese children.
As the misinformation spread and reached trending topics, Feihe issued a statement on WeChat on October 18th addressing these claims. The company clarified that the partnership was limited to technical exchange and did not involve raw material imports or formula usage. They also announced they had filed a police report and would pursue legal action against those spreading false information.
Feihe emphasized its status as a leading Chinese national enterprise, noting its establishment in Heilongjiang in 1962 and its position as China’s top infant formula manufacturer with 21.5% market share as of January 2023. The company stressed its patriotic alignment with consumers and explained that its collaborations with domestic and international research institutions aim to improve their products for Chinese babies.
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), October 19, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202410190226.aspx