BIG SLIP-UP

Lululemon Apologizes After Great Wall of China Drum Sparks Uproar

The Canadian activewear company said it should have been “more cautious and thorough.”

Lululemon sparked uproar in China after a yoga festival on the Great Wall drew accusations that a Japanese drum had been used at an event intended to celebrate Chinese culture. The Canadian activewear company held the event on May 30 and invited Chinese actor Zhu Yilong to join a drum troupe. More than 2,000 people attended the festival, which was billed as a celebration of Chinese culture and wellness. Chinese percussionist Xu Yang posted a video on Weibo arguing that the instrument resembled a Japanese Taiko drum more than a traditional Chinese drum. He said the two “should never be confused.” Some Chinese social media users argued that the drum’s appearance on the Great Wall, one of China’s national symbols, was particularly insensitive. Lululemon later apologized in a statement on Tuesday, saying that “due to limitations in our professional knowledge, we were unable to fully identify potential controversies initially.” The activewear brand said it should have been “more cautious and thorough”, adding that it would “learn profound lessons” to adopt “a more rigorous attitude” in the future.