Grace Lee to try boycotting Chinese products amid shoal row

Calls to boycott Chinese products amid a month-old standoff between the Philippines and China over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal on Thursday gained major support from no less than a "friend" of President Benigno Aquino III – radio and TV host Grace Lee. Lee, in posts on her Twitter account early Thursday, said she would "take on the challenge" of boycotting Chinese products, though she admitted it may be difficult. "Boycotting Chinese products... possible? I take on the challenge! No more new Chinese product for me (from) this day forward until... lets see," she said. Some groups had called for a boycott of Chinese products after the standoff started last April. The row started when Philippine military forces spotted Chinese fishermen gathering marine species in the area, but were blocked by Chinese vessels from making arrests. Lee said the boycott may be hard but still worth a try. "I know it's hard, but I really think it's worth a try. Not saying get rid of the existing Chinese products you already own. Just no new purchase," she said. According to her, she would approach the boycott like a "countdown," seeing how many days she could go without Chinese products. Lee did not specify what Chinese products she usually uses. "Okay, I'll do like a countdown. lets see how many days I can go without Chinese products," she said. Lee is still considered a "friend" by President Aquino, who she had been dating in past months. On Wednesday, Aquino said in an interview on Bombo Radyo they are "friends," giving credence to rumors that he and Lee have split. Aquino and Lee first met on June 27 last year in Cebu where Lee was one of the masters of ceremonies at the inauguration of a 200-MW coal-fired power plant. — LBG, GMA News