STARBUCKS IN CHINA As China’s economy develops and a …………………………………, Western food corporations are moving here to cash in on the ……………………….. wealth. Mac Donald’s, KFC , Hagen daas and Sizzler, are just some of the big name American brands looking to ………………………. of the Chinese market. Even ………………. Starbucks sees this ……………………………….. nation as its largest potential …………………….. But it’s the location of this small Starbucks …………….. that has sparked a ………………… debate online about the benefits of ……………………… in China. Mainly because it’s inside the Forbidden City, in the …………….. of Beijing. This sprawling museum complex ……………………………… as a World Heritage site that …………………….. preserved. TV personality Ruicheng Gang started the debate on his personal blog. He says bringing a foreign coffee ……………………… into this cultural ………… insults China’s heritage. He writes : ‘The forbidden City is a symbol of China’s cultural heritage. Starbucks is a symbol of …………………………………… culture in the West.We need to embrace the world but we also need to preserve our …………………………. There’s …………………. between globalization and contamination.’ Half a million people signed the petition on Rui’s blog calling for the café’s ………………….. Many Beijing ………………….. seem to …………………. ‘I do not like the Starbuck’s being in the Forbidden City. Beijing is a special city. Beijing culture ……………………….., and everlasting. Of course we need some changes, but opening a Starbucks in the Forbidden City is not a good choice. ‘ But not all of them. ‘Now Beijing is becoming a …………………….. in the world, I completely accept the Starbuck in the Forbidden City.’ Starbucks is …………………………………………………………. and declined a …………………… for interview, but says it ……………………….. the deep history and culture of the Forbidden City, and has …………………….. in respectful manner. As millions of tourists wander through this centuries-old palace, not everything that is new is seen as tarnishing national traditions. Souvenir bags, ……………….. and local food are …………………... There’s even a basketball ………………... ……………. is changing in China, for ……………. it is ……………………… , ………….. quickly . The American coffee shop in the Forbidden City has become a symbol of Chinese …………………..

VOA news. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------THE INTERVIEW OF STARBUCKS’S CEO 1) Why does he say that they were…………………………… ? What was their reaction, and why ? What would other companies have done according to him ? 2) Question : (a student from……………….) We know that China is a nation of ……….………… ; how do you ……………it a nation of ……………….. ? And have you ever…………………………… a tea……… to your business, ‘Starbucks Tea’ ? The answer : - We are…… - We haven’t come to…(but to…) - We have been…for ..years, but it only represents… ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DEBATE 1. In groups of four, imagine the debate which led Starbucks to close down their outlet in the Forbidden City. ! Student 1 : Starbucks’ CEO. Student2 : the manager of the local outlet . Both are in favour of not removing the store. ! Student 3 : Starbucks’ communications manager. Student 4 : local advisor. Both are in favour of complying with local requests. 2. Here are items for discussion. Underline those which are relevant for your part, and develop them on a separate piece of paper. cultural differences/ prestige of location/beauty of site/cost of local taxes/labour costs/cost of initial investment/cost of removal/number of tourists onsite/impact on image in China , in the world/location of competitors/social problems in the area/handling the situation respectfully/finding another suitable location/initial agreement/ museums complexes in the USA / prestige, exclusivity / overall strategy in the country / numbers of complaints, of dissatisfied customers / compensations to ask for removal/ corporate mistake / lose customers’confidence/ tea vs coffee / cultural icon / souvenir bags, trinkets…/cooperation / ethics / communicating / refocusing new ad campaigns / abolish local identity / globalization, foreign.../local approach / work contracts with local employees/modernization/ resentment/ cultural icons/ to create a precedent, to become a scapegoat/petition /need to reaffirm positive values / fair trade etc. 3. Useful words and expressions : Can you state your point here ? ; What is your point of view on the matter ?; Can you sum up the situation on your side of the question ?; I don’t quite agree with you on this point. ; Well, as a matter of fact… ; I understand your point, but.., ; I would like to draw your attention to ; I strongly suggest that we V ; I strongly believe that.., It isn’t done to.., The reason why…(is that) ; It will lead to/result in.. ; we should adapt to.. ; an alternative course of action would be to.. ; I’d like to point out that.. ; the point is.. ; As I see it.. ; Shouldn’t we consider.. ; Frankly I doubt it ; The truth of the matter is.. ; Considering.. ; it’s fairly certain that.. ; I would like to be allowed to disagree here ; My point of view is that…