Xi Jinping-Themed Restaurant Vandalized in South Korea as Anti-China Sentiment Boils Over

A restaurant in South Korea named after Chinese President Xi Jinping was attacked by Chinese nationals, the owner told BBC News. The incident occurred in South Korea, though the exact date and location were not specified in the initial dispatch. The owner said he chose the name because he wanted to run the 'best Chinese restaurant' in South Korea.

The attack comes amid rising anti-China sentiment in South Korea, where public opinion has soured over issues including Beijing's opposition to the deployment of the U.S. THAAD missile defense system and cultural disputes. The owner's decision to name the restaurant after Xi Jinping may have been intended as a marketing gimmick, but it appears to have backfired, drawing the ire of Chinese nationals. No official statements from Chinese or South Korean authorities have been released.

The incident underscores the delicate state of China-South Korea relations and the potential for nationalist tensions to spill over into civilian life. It remains unclear whether the attack was motivated by political anger or other factors. South Korean police have not yet commented on the case. The story may further strain bilateral ties and could prompt calls for greater protection of foreign-owned businesses.