A clothing store in Beijing has sparked controversy after putting up a sign that read “Chinese not admitted (except for staff)”; the most recent slab of racism in China to dominate news headlines.
Several employees shared with the Beijing Youth Daily why the shop took these extreme measures. One worker told the paper that an incident, in which a foreign man received $5000 in compensation after his wallet was stolen by a Chinese national within the shop, played a significant role in the verdict. On the other hand another linked the act to the fear of rival designers copying the shop’s clothing designs.
However, one employee provided an explanation far more controversial than his colleagues’, suggesting that “annoying” Chinese shopping tendencies were in fact the impetus behind the decision to ban Chinese customers from the store. “Some Chinese customers are just too much,” this salesperson boldly told the Beijing Youth Daily. He eventually added that a great deal of Chinese shoppers try on many articles of clothing without intending to purchase goods, which he believes can be detrimental to stores with limited manpower.
Considering its nicknames, “Russia Town” and the “Russian Market,” it is unsurprising that Yabao Lu (雅宝路), the bustling trading hub in which this particular retail store lies, is renowned for its large foreign clientele.
This instance is sadly not the only example of Laowai receiving preferential treatment over Chinese locals in this region. Back in 2003, one business hung a sign which read “open to visitors” in Chinese, but a warm “Welcome” in foreign languages; an instance of Chinese racism which, similarly to Beijing’s current situation, has netizens all fired up. A Weibo user, who was clearly shocked by the event, exhorted “Is this still China?” Meanwhile, others branded the boutique a bully, telling the owners to “get out” of China.
Although one netizen complained that “this type of shop should be closed down,” it seems that such measures can not be enforced legally in China, for this nation lacks laws prohibiting racial discrimination, according to legal experts.
The flip side of the coin, foreigners being discriminated against in China, is another taboo component of this topic. A CNN article published in 2012 titled “Tinted prejudice in China” covers this very topic, as it explores the derogatory cultural bias that many foreigners have experienced in China, simply because of their darker skin colour.
With Chinese nationals being discouraged from entering shops on their own turf today, who knows what ludicrous tale of racism this nation will see tomorrow. It seems that even after centuries of progress toward equality, foreigners still remain a segregated entity in the modern Middle Kingdom, experiencing both positive and negative discrimination. Don’t believe me? Just head down to Russia Town’s little boutiques and witness its disheartening stronghold for yourself.
