London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

BNP Apologizes for Employee’s Posting on Hong Kong Protests

BNP Apologizes for Employee’s Posting on Hong Kong Protests

BNP Paribas SA became the latest global firm to be dragged into the tensions roiling Hong Kong after the French lender publicly apologized for a posting on an employee’s personal social media account.

The lender’s statement on its website came after an unidentified employee made remarks on Facebook about a pro-Beijing group singing the Chinese national anthem at a shopping mall in the city’s central business district last week, according to a person familiar with the situation, who asked not to be identified discussing a private matter.

“We have spoken to the employee, who has since deleted the post, and we have taken immediate action regarding this matter,” the bank said in a statement on Friday, without elaborating on the content of the posting or the actions it took.

BNP said that while it respects its employees’ freedom of expression, it does not tolerate language that is “disrespectful,” and strongly condemns any action or behavior that contributes to division. The bank declined to elaborate beyond Friday’s comments when reached on Monday.

Foreign lenders are having to tread more carefully as tensions rise in the former British colony, where protests opposing an extradition bill have morphed into a mass repudiation of China’s hold over Hong Kong. JPMorgan Chase & Co., which is in the process of building its presence in China, recently told some staff to ensure that they don’t refer to Hong Kong, Macau or self-governing Taiwan as separate countries in research reports.
Major banks including HSBC Holdings Plc and Standard Chartered Plc last month broke their silence, calling for a peaceful resolution to differences in the city, via newspaper advertisements published in local papers.

The latest incident comes as BNP is seeking to expand its China operations to include brokerage, futures trading and wealth-management ventures. It last month won approval to lead underwrite all types of company notes in the interbank bond market, a long coveted license for those seeking to expand in the nation’s $13 trillion debt market.


Verbal and physical scuffles broke out Thursday during an afternoon sing-off between groups singing the Chinese national anthem and others singing “Glory to Hong Kong,” which some demonstrators see as Hong Kong’s anthem, at the centrally located IFC mall, according to footage broadcast on Cable TV.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×