Gap is apologizing for a T-shirt it released that featured a map of China. The shirt sparked outrage after being dubbed “incomplete” for not including South Tibet, the island of Taiwan, and the South China Sea, all Chinese-claimed territories.
"Gap Inc. respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China. We've learned a Gap brand T-shirt sold in some overseas markets mistakenly failed to reflect the correct map of China. We sincerely apologize for this unintentional error," the company shared in a statement, according to the Global Times.
The company is now conducting a internal investigation into the error after recalling the shirts. "This batch of products had been pulled off shelves in the Chinese market and destroyed. As a responsible company, Gap Inc. strictly follows Chinese laws and rules," read the statement.
This move sparked a counter backlash by those online who argue that Taiwan is not a part of China and that the complaints over the shirt are unwarranted.
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Meanwhile, others say Gap’s removal of the shirt wasn’t enough. "Not recognizing one-China principle, there is no room for negotiations. GAP should be banned in China, get out of China," wrote one user on Sina Weibo, a chinese blogging site, according to the Global Times.
The T-shirt was part of the Gap's city T-shirt in Jersey edition, which also includes shirts featuring Canada, Japan, Paris, San Francisco, and New York.
