China's annual Consumer Rights Day show could provide clues to Beijing's THAAD position

published: 2017-03-14 10:56:16 중국 사드보복 15일 최대 고비…한국업체들 긴장 Korean companies are on alert for World Consumer Rights Day tomorrow, when China will go through the annual ritual of airing a program that offer important clues to its position on various issues. Beijing, upset over Seoul’s defense upgrade has been bashing Korean companies and encouraging Chinese citizens to boycott Korean-made products, but the program could serve as a barometer of whether the activities will continue. Kim Hyesung takes a closer look. March 15th, World Consumer Rights Day, is also the day China’s main state television broadcaster CCTV airs a program that’s become infamous for slamming foreign companies for misconduct against its citizens.

That’s why Korean companies are on high alert for clues to what it might say about Beijing’s position on the THAAD missile defense system — especially Lotte Group, which has borne the brunt of the backlash after it provided the land for the THAAD battery.