China’s JD.com Has Run on Russian Chocolates in Show of Support
A Russian-run online store on China’s e-commerce platform JD.com thanked Chinese shoppers for their support after it sold out of most items including chocolate and other confectionery, saying it showed the country’s friendship in “difficult” times.
The online shop front of the Russian State Pavilion store, which says it is endorsed by the Russian embassy in Beijing, displayed multiple “sold out” signs on products ranging from sweets to chocolate wafers.
It also offered pre-sales for St Petersburg Vodka, at 528 yuan ($83.57) for six bottles.
“Dear Chinese friends, thank you for your support to Russia and Russia State Pavilion at this difficult time,” said a man identifying himself as Sergey Batsev, a representative from the Business Russia non-profit organisation.
“We see the friendship of old Chinese friends under this complicated and constantly changing international situation,” he said in a video posted to the site.
Local media reported that the video was posted on Wednesday and the shop had seen a sudden surge in followers, from fewer than 100,000 on Wednesday morning to more than 1 million by Thursday afternoon.
The store’s customer service declined to answer further queries. And JD.com did not immediately respond to queries sent by Reuters.
China has refused to condemn Russia’s attack on Ukraine or to call it an invasion, and has repeatedly called for a negotiated solution.
Chinese social media users have overwhelmingly favoured Russia’s position in the conflict, with many blaming NATO expansion.
On Alibaba’s Taobao marketplace, another popular e-commerce platform, some buyers of Russian chocolates left comments saying they had made their purchase in support of Russia.
But there were also some online shows of support for Ukrainian goods. One customer of chocolate made by Ukrainian confectionery firm Roshen, left a comment urging support for Ukraine. “The Ukrainians will win!”
- Reuters, with additional editing by George Russell
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