China Marks Consumer Day With Gala That Led to Apple Apology
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China’s state broadcaster will tomorrow evening air its annual consumer rights program, which last year included allegations that later led Volkswagen AG to recall 380,000 cars and Apple Inc. Chief Executive Tim Cook to issue a public apology to its Chinese customers.
The China Central Television program, known as the “315 Gala” because its broadcast March 15 each year to mark World Consumer Rights Day, features reporters disguised as customers or potential business partners shooting footage with hidden cameras. Companies covered in this year’s show will include those in the automotive, consumer electronics, food, e-commerce and online wealth management industries, the gala’s director said in an online briefing last month.