Outdoor clothing brand Arc'teryx has apologised after a promotional fireworks display in the Tibetan plateau sparked widespread criticism over potential environmental damage. The event, titled 'Rising Dragon', featured choreographed pyrotechnics and coloured smoke along Himalayan ridgelines in the Shigatse region.
The Canadian company, part-owned by China's Anta Group, partnered with Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang for the display. Organisers claimed the materials were biodegradable and environmentally friendly, and that wildlife had been relocated. However, videos posted online prompted accusations that the brand had betrayed its environmentally conscious image, with calls for boycotts.
Arc'teryx issued an apology on Sunday, stating the event 'was out of line with Arc'teryx's values' and 'in direct opposition to our commitment to outdoor spaces'. Cai also apologised, acknowledging 'many oversights' and pledging to assist with cleanup. The Shigatse government and Communist party branch have launched an investigation into the incident.
The Tibetan plateau is sacred to Tibetan Buddhists and has become a popular tourist destination, raising concerns about environmental damage. A local environmental bureau official said the event had prior approval and appeared not to have damaged the ecology, but the China Advertising Association expressed disappointment, saying the display 'potentially harmed the environment, ultimately eroding years of trust'.
