Lululemon issues China apology after Great Wall yoga event draws criticism

June 17, 2026

Lululemon has issued a public apology in China after a promotional yoga event at the Great Wall sparked a social media backlash over the use of a Japanese taiko drum. The late-May event, which celebrated the brand’s 10th year in mainland China, drew more than 2,000 participants for yoga and Tai Chi sessions. Chinese actor and brand ambassador Zhu Yilong led the activities before joining the HiiKo Drum Group for a performance billed as traditional Chinese drumming.

Weibo users quickly criticized the event, claiming the drum bore the Lululemon logo but resembled a Japanese taiko rather than a traditional Chinese dagu drum. The controversy amassed over 50 million views on Weibo, with many calling it disrespectful and inappropriate given the Great Wall’s status as a symbol of Chinese national identity. Zhu’s studio urged Lululemon to address the situation amid the rising online uproar.

In its apology on Weibo, Lululemon stated the event was intended to honor Chinese culture wholeheartedly but acknowledged “gaps in our professional expertise” that prevented them from recognizing potential issues initially. The brand apologized to consumers and to Zhu, removed all related promotional content from its website and social media, and committed to exercising greater caution in future event planning. The HiiKo Drum Group also issued a separate apology. ASIA NIKKEI