Some said most of Carrefour's staff in China are Chinese, who would be hurt by the action. Others said a boycott would do nothing to affect the supporters of "Tibetan independence".

Bai Yansong, an anchorman with China Central Television, said he opposed the boycott.

Carrefour sells thousands of domestically made products that are produced by millions of Chinese workers, he said.

"If such boycotts are carried out, Chinese people's interests will be harmed," he said.

Carrefour China released a statement via its website on Wednesday saying the company has not or will not do anything to hurt the feelings of Chinese people.

It said allegations that Carrefour supports illegal political organizations are totally fabricated and lack evidence, adding that it reserves the right to take legal action against any individual or organization that creates or spreads such rumors.

Yesterday, LVMH, one of Carrefour's major stockholders, said charges made online that the group funds pro-Tibet "independence forces" are "completely groundless".

In an interview with French daily Le Figaro, Bernard Arnault, chief executive of LVMH, said his company is not giving financial support to the Dalai Lama.

(China Daily April 18, 2008)