Taiwan's UK office irked by poster jibe

The Taiwan representative office in the UK has urged British firm Diageo, the world's largest brewery, to scrap an advertisement that it claims defames the image of Taiwan's products.

Diageo put up Smirnoff vodka advertisements on platforms at various subway stations in London bearing the legend: "Warning/This gift will break down/on Christmas morning/replacement parts available from service center/Box No. 260 Taiwan/Allow 365 working days for delivery."

But, according to the representative office, the words on the poster defame the image of Taiwanese products, as they hint that Taiwan products are shoddy and that customer service is poor.

The posters allude to Taiwan's reputation in decades past as supplier to the world of cheap toys, umbrellas and shoddy plastic goods -- a reputation long since superseded by its reputation as one of the world's leading suppliers of high-quality high-tech products.

The office has sent a letter to Diageo asking the company to remove the posters immediately.

Yang Wei-li (楊維立), information division chief at the representative office, pointed out that Taiwan has spared no efforts to improve the quality of its products over the past two decades and has made admirable achievements in this regard. Taiwan's information technology products, for instance, are popular all over the world, he said.

Diageo's advertisement posters have hurt the image of Taiwan products, Yang said.

In his letter to Diageo, Yang said the company's Johnny Walker Red Label and Johnny Walker Black Label, as well as its J&B whisky enjoy brisk sales in Taiwan and if the company harbors ill intentions toward Taiwan, then "the situation will change."

Unless the posters are removed immediately, Yang said, the Taipei representative office and Taiwan investors in Britain will launch a boycott of Diageo products.

Yang said he is discussing the issue with lawyers and is considering suing the British brewery.