Cosmetics giant cancels Hong Kong concert after being warned off pro-democracy singer

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Denise Ho was taken away by police officers while barricades were removed and tents torn down at the end of Occupy Central in Admiralty. (Photo courtesy: BBC)
Denise Ho was taken away by police officers while barricades were removed and tents torn down at the end of Occupy Central in Admiralty. (Photo courtesy: BBC)

(TibetanReview.net, Jun07, 2016) – Cosmetics giant Lancome has cancelled a promotional concert in Hong Kong and distanced itself from its host known for being democracy supporter and for having met with the Dalai Lama apparently after being warned off by China’s overseas mouthpiece Global Times, reported the SCMP.com Jun 5. A statement posted on Lancome’s Facebook page on Jun 5 afternoon was reported to read: “Hong Kong actress Denise Ho (Wan-see) is not a spokesperson of Lancome. We are sorry for the confusion caused.”

The report said the company had invited Ho to host a mini-concert at a promotion event in Sheung Wan on Jun 19. The event, which was free of charge, was otherwise reported to have been fully booked.

Canto-pop star and actress Ho is a known supporter of the democracy movement in Hong Kong and had in May this year met with the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, on her 39th birthday. She later posted pictures of herself and Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader on her personal Facebook page, writing: “It has been an unforgettable birthday. He is a sublime Venerable; a loving grandpa; and also a teacher who shares his wisdom. I could feel the blessing and energy rushing through my body just by holding his hands.”

Hong Kong’s Canto-pop singer and celebrity Ms Denise Ho Wan-see has said she had met with the Dalai Lama on May 10.
Hong Kong’s Canto-pop singer and celebrity Ms Denise Ho Wan-see has said she had met with the Dalai Lama on May 10.

Lancome’s move to cancel the concert and to distance itself from Ho is suspected to have been prompted by a Weibo post by Beijing-based Chinese government’s overseas mouthpiece Global Times on Jun 5. “We have received tip-offs from netizens that Listerine and Lancome, both popular brands on the mainland, have recently invited Denise Ho – a Hong Kong and Tibet independence advocate – to promote their products in Hong Kong. What do you guys think?” the post was reported to read.

Lancome’s statement, distancing itself from Ho, was reported to have drawn a huge backlash on Facebook, with more than 10,000 “angry” reactions after just five hours, compared with fewer than 500 “likes”.

Lancome was reported to have announced that the concert had been cancelled because of “possible safety reasons” and to have apologised to its supporters. That announcement was reported to have drawn more than 1,000 “angry” reactions in less than half an hour. Many were reported to have called on people to boycott Lancome products.

Ho is blacklisted by mainland media along with singer Anthony Wong Yiu-ming and actor Anthony Wong Chau-sang who also support democracy.

China demonizes the 1989 Nobel Peace laureate as a dangerous separatist although he only seeks meaningful autonomy for his homeland under Chinese rule.

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