A recently-opened Chinese cafe shop could prove to be symbolic after replacing a Starbucks coffee shop that was forced to close after protests.
Situated in the historical Forbidden City, as the BBC reports, the Starbucks shop closed in July after it had attempted to gain the respect of citizens since its opening in 2000.
A change in logo did not stop the determination of Chinese citizens, some 500,000 of which are reported to have signed an online campaign earlier this year, to be rid of the Starbucks outlet's location in the former-home of 24 Chinese emperors prior to the end of imperial rule in 1911.
The new Forbidden City Café will continue to serve tourists coffee but will also feature traditional Chinese tea and furniture as it seeks to provide "a package of products relating to the Imperial Palace and Chinese culture", Forbidden City deputy curator Li Wenru is reported to have said.
Protestors against the Starbucks shop, such as TV actor Rui Chenggang, said its presence "trampled on Chinese culture", the news agency added.
Built between 1406 and 1420, the Forbidden City contains 980 surviving buildings and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.
