STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Chinese officials asked H&M to change a map on its website in the latest clash between the clothing giant and local officials, the media reported on Friday.
The Sweden-based company has faced an adverse reaction in China in the past few days after it expressed concerns last year about alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang province.
ABC News reported that the Shanghai city government asked H&M to correct a ‘problematic map of China’.
H&M did not immediately respond to phone calls or an email request for comment.
Citing a statement from the Shanghai government, ABC said that Internet users reported the problem to the administration of the H&M website and that Shanghai’s municipal planning and natural resources agency ordered it to be changed.
The Wall Street Journal quoted the Shanghai arm of the China Cyberspace Administration as saying that the operator of the H&M website has taken steps to resolve the problem.
Last week, H&M said it would work to regain confidence in China after a statement made in 2020 about cotton supplies there resurfaced on social media.
In the statement, the world’s second-largest fashion retailer expressed concern over allegations of forced labor in Xinjiang province and said it would not buy any more cotton there.
Simon Johnson reporting; edition by Barbara Lewis