Gap Apologizes After T-Shirt Featuring a Map of China Leaves Off Taiwan
- T-shirt design left out territories claimed by China
- U.S. retailer’s apology echoes those by Marriott, Delta
A man carries Gap branded shopping bags while walking along a pedestrian shopping area in Shanghai.
Photographer: Qilai Shen/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Gap Inc. became the latest international company to apologize for offending Chinese political sensibilities, pulling a T-shirt featuring a map of China that left out territories claimed by the country.
The apology was triggered by complaints from consumers reacting to pictures of a Gap-branded T-shirt posted on Chinese social media network Weibo. Users pointed out that a map printed on the shirt omitted territories claimed by China, including parts of southern Tibet, Taiwan and the South China Sea.