Chickeeduck’s t-shirts, accessories seized by Chinese customs officials for advocating ‘black violence’

CEO Herbert Chow holds up prototypes of the products that were seized. Photos: Facebook/Chow Siu Lung Herbert
CEO Herbert Chow holds up prototypes of the products that were seized. Photos: Facebook/Chow Siu Lung Herbert

A batch of clothing and accessories commissioned by Chickeeduck, a kids’ clothing chain, has been confiscated by Chinese customs officials for advocating “black violence.”

Herbert Chow, founder of the chain, wrote on Facebook Monday that the products—which include a canvas bag with five ducklings and a blanket with designs of yellow umbrellas and a badge reading “I heart Hong Kong”—had been seized in Dongguan, a manufacturing hub bordering Shenzhen.

He attached pictures of the products in the post, in which he wrote a “letter” to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

“You can see from the photos that my products are extremely moderate,” Chow wrote. “Clearly, your officials have claimed my products because they like them.”

According to Stand News, over 10,000 items were confiscated by Chinese customs.

Chow told the news outlet that he was informed by the factory producing Chickeeduck’s order that the items had been confiscated close to Chinese New Year. The factory was instructed not to accept orders from Chow going forward.

Also among the batch are 1,000 t-shirts with the phrase “Why should I bow down,” featuring cartoon characters including two wearing black face masks.

This is the first time Chickeeduck has had its orders confiscated over alleged support for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, Chow said, adding that he has been working with factories in mainland China for many years.

He is now in talks with a manufacturer in Thailand who has agreed to take up the order.

It’s not the first time Chickeeduck has found itself in authorities’ crosshairs. Last June, shopping mall management demanded that the Tsuen Wan outlet do away with a pro-democracy “Lady Liberty” statue, of a female demonstrator donning protest gear, displayed in the store.

Shortly after, management informed Chow that the shop’s contract would not be extended and that it would need to vacate within three weeks.

Chickeeduck’s Sha Tin store also closed up shop in February after Sun Hung Kai Properties did not renew the chain’s contract at New Town Plaza, where it has operated for over 30 years.

According to its website, Chickeeduck sells a selection of protest accessories, including iron-on patches featuring word plays of popular political slogans. One of them is a design of meatballs on sticks, the phrase “Five meatballs, not without sauce” rhyming with the Cantonese chant “Five demands, not one less.”



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