The famous Jin Liu Fu brand of Chinese wine has controversially started using an American song called Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree as background music in its television ads.

The song tells the story of a prisoner who can't wait to see his wife after he is released from prison. The yellow ribbon in the title symbolizes his freedom.

A lot of people have complained the song sounds improper for the time so close to the Spring Festival. Chinese people have been used to happiness for the holiday, but stories relating to jails usually make them link misfortune to their life.

However Jin Liu Fu's brand manager, Mr Fang, said he did not expect such a response from the public. While he understands the meaning of the song, he thought its upbeat rhythm and reunion theme made it ideal for advertising Chinese wine over the holiday period.

He said he did not expect people would scrutinize the background music in the ad so closely and promised to exercise more care when producing ads in the future. Their future ads will use traditional Chinese music.

(CRIENGLISH.com February 5, 2007)