Update | Tycoon Li Ka-shing’s family drawn into Denise Ho controversy as political fallout continues for Lancome
Shops for cosmetics brands under L’Oreal group shut in wake of criticism for cancellation of Canto-pop star’s concert while others urge boycott of businesses backing Ho, including Watsons and Moov
The controversy over Lancome’s cancellation of Canto-pop star Denise Ho’s concert escalated on Wednesday with mainland internet users threatening to boycott a host of Hong Kong companies tied to the city’s richest billionaire, while local activists called for supporters to boycott all brands under the L’Oreal group.
Mainland internet users were angered after Hong Kong music app Moov suggested on Monday that it would “employ Denise Ho permanently”.
Moov is an app owned by PCCW, a company run by Richard Li Tzar-kai, son of Li Ka-shing. Ho’s critics said they would exact “revenge” by boycotting a range of companies related to Li’s family, such as Moov, Watsons, Johnson and Johnson, and Listerine, of which Ho is a spokeswoman.
On Weibo, a user going by the handle Qiyu Xian’ang239 said: “Let’s start by boycotting small stuff ... such as not buying Watsons mineral water.”
Another user going by the handle Tangjia Momo said: “Your permanent recruitment [of Ho] means we will boycott permanently.”
In a statement on Wednesday, PCCW said Richard Li and Moov respected “freedom of expression”. However, it added that the two were “staunchly opposed to the independence of Hong Kong”.
