The Chinese government have got their knickers in a twist all because Sony announced that they planned to do a product launch on July 7th which happens to be the day that Japan clashed with China in 1937.
They have also hit Samsung for ‘spurring disobedience’ in China.
The Chinese were so miffed with Sony that they hit them with a $209,000 fine claiming that they had violated advertising laws by planning a launch in China on a date that the Chinese Government did not like.
Sony apologized and cancelled the event following major backlash in China where dodgy product launches and fake products are okay but not an event on a day that “most Chinese would not have a clue about” said one Sony executive in Australia.
epa08191588 The Sony logo is seen at a showroom in Tokyo, Japan, 04 February 2020. Sony Corp. increased its group net and operating profit forecast for the fiscal year 2019 through March 2020. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
China’s advertising law states that online advertisements must not hurt the dignity or interests of the communist state.
The 1-million-yuan fine Sony has to pay is the maximum amount stipulated in China’s law.
According to Nikki Asia Sony’s Chinese unit said the company “respects the decision and will cooperate.”
“they had no choice” a Sony insider said in North Sydney where Sony is located in Australia.
The unit said, “We have thoroughly reviewed and improved our operations under the guidance of the relevant state department so as not to make similar mistakes,” adding that “we will use this case as a lesson to take appropriate preventive measures in our daily operations.”
July 7 marks the anniversary of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident in 1937, which triggered the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Chinese authorities also said they have fined Samsung Electronics 400,000 yuan, claiming that the company’s advertisements for two smartphone models violate laws around interference with social order and spurring disobedience.
