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Or sign-in if you have an account.Shoppers walk past a Lululemon symbol at the Sherway Gardens shopping centre on January 18, 2026. Photo by Peter J Thompson/National PostLululemon Athletica Inc. has apologized for a yoga event staged on China’s Great Wall after it drew intense scrutiny over the purported use of a Japanese drum.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThe Canadian athleisure company, which has grown rapidly in China, hired actor Zhu Yilong to perform at the promotional event at the end of May.Lululemon issued an apology to both Zhu and the “general public” on Weibo, one of China’s biggest social media platforms, after accusations circulated that the instrument in question was Japanese.“Due to limitations in our professional knowledge, we were unable to identify potential controversies,” the company said.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againLululemon added it “should have been more cautious and thorough” and had removed “all related promotional content”.Diplomatic tensions between China and Japan have been heightened after comments about Taiwan made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in her first week in office late last year gave Beijing ammunition for its claims that its neighbour was becoming more belligerent.The Great Wall incident is the latest sign of the risks facing foreign brands as they seek to promote their products in a market with a fast-moving social media landscape replete with cultural and political sensitivities.Last year a separate controversy erupted over Arc’teryx, part of U.S.-listed Amer Group in which China’s apparel company Anta owns a major stake. The outdoor clothing brand held a fireworks event in Tibet, sparking an online backlash.“Chinese consumers are just very hypersensitive,” said Shaun Rein, managing director of the China Market Research Group, who added that Lululemon was heavily reliant on its China operations.Lululemon is one of several activewear groups that have enjoyed rapid growth in recent years, in contrast to the recent struggles of Nike, with mainland China net revenues rising 29 per cent to US$1.8 billion in the year to the end of January.Its net revenues in mainland China have more than quadrupled since 2021. The company said in its recent annual report that it planned to “continue to invest in mainland China.”The yoga controversy drew specific scrutiny from Xu Yang, a percussionist, who posted a video analysing the drum.Lululemon, which did not refer to the drum’s provenance in its apology, said its Great Wall yoga event was “grounded in a commitment to honouring Chinese culture.”“We deeply value the feedback received and recognize that we should have been more thoughtful and sensitive in our planning and review process for the drum performance,” the company said. “This has been a valuable learning for us, and we extend our sincerest apologies.”On its Weibo post users expressed sympathy for actor Zhu, with several simply citing his name followed by the expression “wu wang zhi zai” — an idiom that refers to an unexpected calamity or undeserved bad luck.Last month Lululemon agreed to overhaul its board as part of a peace deal with its founder and largest active shareholder Chip Wilson. He has for years complained of the company’s underperformance since leaving the board in 2015.Shares have fallen 45 per cent in New York this year amid rising competition from new rivals, questions over quality control and a pullback in consumer spending.Additional reporting by Wenjie Ding in Beijing© 2026 The Financial Times Ltd Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.