Businesses chase a deal in China's patriotic outrage

BEIJING (Reuters) - First came China's patriotic zeal, now China's zealous businessmen are joining the fray.

In let's-make-a-deal China, it was never going to be long before public ire over Tibet demonstrations that have dogged the Olympic torch relay spawned commerce.

Local news media reported on Wednesday that droves of clothes makers have leapt onto the angry upsurge in nationalist pride, selling T-shirts proclaiming Chinese sovereignty over Tibet and denouncing Western targets.

"Go China!", the front of one T-shirt design sold on the popular retail website Taobao.com declares in Chinese. "Anti-riot & explore the truth," the back says in less than perfect English.

"Tibet WAS, IS and ALWAYS will be a party of China!" declares another T-shirt shown on a state-run Shanghai news website Eastday.com.

One seller on the Taobao.com website urged citizens to buy the patriotic designs to wear when then Olympic Games torch passes through China in coming weeks, the report said.

"I hope that all compatriots in the country will use their bodies to show support for the Olympic Games and opposition to Tibetan independence," the seller said.

With over three months to go until the Beijing Olympic Games open, businesses tapping into China's patriotic upsurge can expect orders for a while yet.

"Recently many people have been enquiring about making patriotic merchandise, asking for patriotic hats, T-shirts and even scarves," the Shanghai report said, citing local businesses.

The T-shirts are selling on-line for between about 18 and 30 yuan ($2.60-$4.30), and some merchants said they were selling them at or near cost to show their own zeal.

The Chinese government has angrily rejected Western calls for it to engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama, the exiled Buddhist leader whom Beijing blames for a wave of unrest across Tibet.

Anger is also a popular phenomenon, with crowds in recent days urging a boycott of the French retail giant Carrefour, seized as a symbol of that country's Tibet protests this month, and denouncing CNN television after a commentator said the country was under "goons and thugs."

"Shut up CNN!," declares one T-shirt now on sale. "Listen to China's voice!," says another.

(Reporting by Chris Buckley; Editing by Valerie Lee)