Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (簡又新) yesterday told executives from Diageo Taiwan to ask its parent company to put positive ads about Taiwan in the UK after the firm recently placed ads in London deemed as offensive to Taiwanese.
William Li (李其英), managing director of Diageo Taiwan, visited the foreign minister yesterday afternoon accompanied by his subordinate Chang Chin-kei (張欽楷) and the British de facto ambassador to Taiwan Derek Marsh.
"Li expressed his apology on behalf of his parent company for the ads, adding he was to seek the minister's suggestions on how to compensate for the damage done by the improper ads," a foreign ministry press release said.
The fence-mending visit was triggered by Smirnoff vodka ads put up by Diageo, the world's largest brewer and distiller, at various subway stations in London on Dec. 16.
The advertisements read: "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."
In view of the enormous market share the British brewer and distiller has enjoyed in Taiwan and the close trade ties between Taiwan and the UK, Chien said the ads put up by Diageo "hurt the feelings of the Taiwanese people," the press release said.
Chien urged the British firm to put out ads that contain positive images of Taiwan in London so as to compensate for the damage done to Taiwan by the original ads, the press release said.
Chien said he would like to see a timely solution to the dispute by Diageo, whereas Li said he would pass on the minister's suggestion to his parent company in London, the press release said.
Diageo Great Britain has apologized to Taiwan by publishing a public apology in various Chinese-language newspapers in Taiwan.
The company has also promised to remove the controversial ads no later than Dec. 26.
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