Authorities launched an investigation after a fireworks show in Tibet sponsored by outdoor gear maker Arc’teryx sparked a backlash on social media because of concern about the effect on the environment.
A team has been sent to investigate, the municipal government in Shigatse said in a statement on its Weibo account.
Arc’teryx – a brand of Hong Kong-traded Anta Sports Products Ltd – apologised and pledged remedial actions in a statement, acknowledging insufficient assessment of the boundaries of artistic expression.
Arc’teryx teamed up with Cai Guo-Qiang, a pyrotechnics artist, on the fireworks project dubbed “Rising Dragon” on Sept 19 in Shigatse, at an altitude of 5,500m.
A video of the show was released on Saturday, triggering criticism on social media that the event contradicted the outdoor brand’s image of protecting nature.
Some expressed their intention to boycott Arc’teryx products. The video has since been retracted.
Arc’teryx will engage a professional environmental protection agency to conduct a transparent assessment, it said in the statement. — Bloomberg
