STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Chinese authorities have asked H&M to change a map on its website in the latest clash between the clothing giant and officials, media reported on Friday.
The Sweden-based company has faced a backlash in China in recent days after expressing concerns last year about alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang province.
ABC News reported that the Shanghai city government had asked H&M to correct a “problematic map of China.”
H&M did not immediately respond to phone calls or a request for email feedback.
Citing a statement from the Shanghai government, ABC said Internet users reported the problem to H&M’s website management and that Shanghai’s municipal planning and natural resources office ordered it to be changed.
The Wall Street Journal quoted the Shanghai group from the China Cyberspace Administration as saying that the H&M website operator had taken action to fix the problem.
Last week, H&M said it would work to regain confidence in China after a statement it had made in 2020 about getting cotton 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 no longer get cotton from there.
Simon Johnson Reports; edited by Barbara Lewis