Chinese Delivery Apps Pull 85°C Bakery from Their Menus
When Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing‑wen was spotted at an 85°C Bakery Cafe in Los Angeles, the ripples were felt all the way back in Shanghai, right onto the screens of Meituan‑Dianping and Ele.me. Those apps, the “Uber Eats” of China, have removed every 85°C listing that pops up in the mainland. The pull‑out came despite the chain having a whopping 628 shops across China.
Why the Sudden Exit?
- China considers Taiwan a renegate province. The chairman of Beijing is pressuring firms to keep the island’s status under “One China” or get slammed.
- When President Tsai took a selfie in front of 85°C’s Los Angeles outlet—yes, that literally happened—social media exploded.
- Calls for a boycott erupted on Weibo and other Chinese platforms, demanding the chain show loyalty to Beijing’s stance.
- In response, Meituan‑Dianping (a Tencent‑backed beast) and Ele.me (Alibaba’s culinary sidekick) removed the store entries from their delivery listings.
What’s 85°C Saying?
On a Wednesday, 85°C fired off a statement on its Chinese site that it “firmly supports the ‘One China’ policy” and “encourages peaceful cross‑strait ties.” It’s the kind of corporate diplomacy that typically says, “Sorry folks, we’re back to normal.”
Official voices from Taiwan, through Ms. Huang Chung‑yen, slammed the move as “unwarranted pressure” and a “humiliating” statement that violates freedom of speech. Meanwhile, Long Mingbiao, a deputy minister from the China Affairs Office, welcomed Taiwanese businesses in the mainland but cautioned that those that allegedly back Taiwan independence shouldn’t earn money in China.
Fan Reactions & Smug Comments
- Some users cheered the removal, shouting “It’s the right move!” While others felt sidelined, complaining, “Politics is politics, business is business, but we’re just customers.” A notable comment from user shengxiaomei summed it up.
- A perplexed group of supporters lamented that the removal punished regular customers who simply wanted a good slice of cake.
Extra: Hotel Contract Drama
The same wind that blew over 85°C also battered the Marriott International franchise. In a front‑page ad in Taipei’s Liberty Times, the Four Points by Sheraton announced it would cancel its agreement with Marriott after the U.S. hotel chain capitulated to Beijing’s demand to list Taiwan, Tibet, and Hong Kong as separate nations. Chinese authorities had blasted Marriott earlier in January for the same reason.
All in all, it’s a complex blend of politics, commerce, and the unpredictable way that a selfie can turn a bakery into a geopolitical lightning rod.
