Wild moment Aussie bloke is refused a drink in Sydney because he was not Chinese: 'For Chinese people only'

By SARAH BROOKES - SENIOR REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 07:14, 17 August 2026 | Updated: 07:15, 17 August 2026 A popular bubble tea and ice cream chain has apologised after its drinks were used in a promotional giveaway where an Australian man was refused a free beverage because he was not Chinese. The giveaway in Sydney was being run by food delivery platform Fantuan, which was handing out drinks supplied by Mixue. A viral video from the promotion shows a Fantuan promoter telling the man the free milk tea offer 'is for Chinese people only'. The man then questioned how the promoter knew he wasn't Chinese, prompting her to ask him to speak Chinese. He responded by speaking Japanese in protest. The video sparked a backlash online, with Mixue Sydney issuing a public apology and distancing itself from the incident. The company said the promoter was not employed by Mixue and the giveaway had been organised independently by Fantuan, a Canadian-founded food delivery platform popular with Asian communities that launched in Australia in 2022. However, because Mixue products were being handed out during the promotion, the incident became associated with the bubble tea chain. Mixue Sydney has apologised after its drinks were handed out at a Fantuan promotion where an Australian man was refused a free milk tea because he was not Chinese The video sparked a backlash online, with Mixue Sydney issuing a public apology and distancing itself from the incident Mixue (pictured) is a popular bubble tea and ice cream chain with more than 20,000 stores worldwide with stores in Sydney and Melbourne Mixue, which operates more than 20,000 stores worldwide, stressed the individual featured in the video was not acting on its behalf and said the comments did not reflect its values. 'We are aware of the recent video circulating online involving the distribution of Mixue drinks during a promotional activity, and we sincerely apologise for the concern and disappointment this has caused,' the company said. 'Following our review, we can confirm that the individual featured in the video was not employed by Mixue and was participating in a promotional campaign organised by Fantuan, an independent third-party delivery platform. 'The individual was not acting on behalf of Mixue.' Mixue said it welcomed customers from all backgrounds and announced it would stop supplying products for Fantuan's promotional activities. 'To ensure our brand is not connected with conduct that conflicts with our values, Mixue Sydney has decided to immediately cease supplying products for Fantuan promotional activities until further notice.'