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L'Oreal in China Row

The French cosmetics giant is accused of kowtowing to Beijing, after cancelling a concert by a pro-Democracy Cantonese singer. And a top businessman on being a 10% entrepreneur.

We examine the very Chinese row engulfing the French cosmetics brand L'Oreal. It's been accused of cancelling a pop concert that it was sponsoring in Hong Kong, because of political threats from Beijing. Pro-democracy campaigners are up in arms. One has flushed her L'Oreal products down the toilet. The company denies buckling to pressure, citing unspecified "security concerns". But a leading US corporate strategist, Dr Robert Lawrence Kuhn, who advises several large US businesses as well as the Chinese government itself, tells presenter Ed Butler that Chinese political pressure on foreign companies is growing.

Also in the programme, we examine how to launch your own start-up business whilst still doing your day-job. It is possible, according to Patrick McGinnis, author of "The 10% Entrepreneur: Live Your Startup Dream Without Quitting Your Day Job". But he says you really ought to share your plans with your boss.

(Picture: Protesters against Lancome in Hong Kong; Credit: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images)

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18 minutes

Last on

Thu 9 Jun 2016 15:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 9 Jun 2016 07:32GMT
  • Thu 9 Jun 2016 15:06GMT

Podcast