Chinese Authorities Launch Investigation Over High-Altitude Ecosystem Damage
Arc'teryx Issues Official Apology
Outdoor brand Arc'teryx has sparked controversy after holding a fireworks show in the high-altitude Tibetan Himalayas in China. As concerns grew over potential damage to the pristine ecosystem, Chinese authorities launched an investigation, and Arc'teryx ultimately issued an official apology.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong and Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao on September 22, Arc'teryx collaborated with fireworks artist Cai Guoqiang to present the “Rising Dragon” show in the Shigatse region of the Himalayas on September 19. The event featured colorful fireworks reminiscent of traditional Tibetan prayer flags, bursting in the shape of a dragon across the sky, with orange and white fireworks exploding in succession along the mountain ridges. The show took place at an altitude of approximately 4,600 to 5,000 meters.
After the video was released, criticism erupted in China, with many arguing that the sensitive alpine vegetation could be destroyed. Some internet users pointed out that the event was “no different from blowing up a mountain rather than an art show.” The organizers explained that they had followed legal procedures and that all powders used in the fireworks were biodegradable, but public sentiment remained unsettled.
As the controversy grew, authorities in Shigatse, Tibet Autonomous Region, launched an on-site investigation on September 21. Officials stated, “We are taking this incident very seriously and will handle it in accordance with the law based on the investigation’s findings.”
Arc'teryx posted an apology on the social media platform Weibo, but the difference in tone between the Chinese and English versions sparked further controversy. The Chinese version stated, “We have realized the need for humility and respect toward nature,” while the English version was criticized for appearing to evade responsibility by stating that the company would “communicate with the Chinese side and adjust its work practices.”
The People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, criticized, “What should remain after the fireworks have faded is not just a simple apology, but action for environmental protection,” while Xinhua News Agency also stressed the need for a thorough investigation.
Arc'teryx is an outdoor brand founded in Canada in 1991. In 2019, its parent company, Amer Sports, was acquired by China’s Anta Group.
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