Chinese Brands Staying Put In Russia After Announcing Departure

Chinese firms are staying put in Russia for the moment despite a growing exodus of Western companies - albeit bracing for growing uncertainty - taking a cue from Beijing's stance of refraining from criticizing Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, Josh Horwitz and Brenda Goh reported for Reuters.

Photo Insert: On social media, the Chinese public has shown overwhelming support for Russia's attack; Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing even faced public backlash in China after it announced it would pull out of Russia.

Even as Apple, Nike, Netflix, fashion chain H&M and many other Western companies have cut or paused business in Russia amid a tide of sanctions and international criticism of President Vladimir Putin's actions, Chinese firms so far have stayed largely silent about their operations in Russia.

The Chinese government, which struck a "no limits" partnership accord with Russia just weeks before Moscow's Feb. 24 invasion, has blamed NATO expansion for the crisis and urged talks to resolve the situation.

On social media, the Chinese public has shown overwhelming support for Russia's attack, which Moscow calls a "special operation."

In Russia itself, protesting senior citizens slammed Russian President Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine and shouted “Pozor Rossii,” or “Russia’s Infamy” to describe the unprovoked attack.

Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing faced a public backlash in China last week after it announced it would pull out of Russia, with social media users accusing it of succumbing to US pressure on Moscow.

It later reversed the decision without giving an explanation. Lenovo, the world's No. 1 personal computer maker, was also subject to heavy criticism in China when a local Belarusian news outlet reported, without saying where it got the information, that it would cease supplying Russia.

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