Cheng-Hsueh Wu, president and founder of Taiwan-based bakery chain 85 Degrees Celsius Bakery Cafe, has reiterated his support for the 1992 Consensus, an agreement between the Chinese mainland and the island of Taiwan to adhere to the one-China principle. He has also urged for strong family ties between Chinese people on both sides of the Straits, according to a report by Taiwan-based media on Tuesday.

Wu had initially remained silent after controversy emerged over a visit by Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen to an 85 Cafe branch in the US city of Los Angeles. The visit led to widespread anger on the Chinese mainland, inciting suspicion that the bakery chain supports "Taiwan independence."

Wu admitted that the company knew in advance that Tsai was due to visit his store in Los Angeles, contradicting a statement issued by the chain's mainland subsidiary that she had just "passed by." 

The company's share price dropped steeply last week as mainland customers called for a boycott, with several delivery platforms on the mainland removing 85 Cafe from their services. Wu appealed to delivery platforms saying they should uphold their agreements and restore 85 Cafe on their listings, while expressing confidence that negative public perceptions will soon die down.

He also stated that the company has received no outside pressure and that its investment plans on the Chinese mainland will proceed as usual.

According to media reports, 85 Cafe has a total of 589 stores in the mainland. 85 Cafe couldn't be reached by the Global Times for comment on Wednesday. 

Global Times