Xibei vs the influencer: why Beijing called time on a Chinese restaurant food feud

After a months-long war of words between an online influencer and a restaurant chain owner, a Communist Party mouthpiece has taken the unusual step of direct intervention – underlining China desire to rein in internet celebrities and social media platforms.

Since Sunday, People’s Daily has published four commentaries about the restaurant chain Xibei, which says it expects to lose 500 million yuan (US$71.8 million) following an influencer’s online complaints about pre-made dishes.

“This is typical of the internet era,” the Sunday commentary said. “A prominent internet influencer dominates online public opinion with sensational material while the exposed party responds [unskilfully] and platforms fan the flames … to attract attention.”

The commentary said the losses were saddening but it might be even “more worrisome that social media posts can plunge a company that has operated for 38 years and runs hundreds of stores into such a crisis”.

Other People’s Daily commentaries called on companies to improve their public relations skills and influencers to conduct themselves properly online to help uphold social and economic stability instead of chasing traffic.

The commentaries of People’s Daily, a Communist Party mouthpiece headquartered in Beijing, are thought to reflect the views of China’s top leadership. Photo: Shutterstock

A Beijing-based political scientist, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the commentaries represented “a U-turn” from earlier media tolerance or even sympathy for consumer rights.

South China Morning Post