BEIJING, (Reuters) – A Russian-run online shop on Chinese ecommerce platform JD.com (NASDAQ:.com).com thanked Chinese customers for their support following it selling out most of its items (including chocolate and fabric softener). It said it was a sign of friendship during “difficult times”.

According to the Russian Embassy, the store’s online shopfront, the “Russian State Pavilion” website, has multiple signs advertising sold-out products, including KDV candy and chocolate wafers. Pre-sales of St. Petersburg vodka were also available at 528 Yuan ($83.57 for six bottles).

“Dear Chinese friends,” said Sergey Batsev of the non-profit organisation Business Russia. He posted a brief video to the internet store.

We see old Chinese friends as friends in this complex and changing international environment.

Local media claimed that the video was posted Wednesday afternoon and that there had been a sudden spike in followers for the shop, which went from less than 100,000 by Wednesday morning to nearly a million on Thursday afternoon.

Customer service at the store declined to respond to further questions. Reuters sent JD.com queries. JD.com didn’t immediately reply.

China refuses to condemn Russia for its attack on Ukraine, nor to refer to it as an invasion. However, China repeatedly calls for a peaceful solution. Social media users in China have strongly supported Russia’s role in this conflict. Many blame NATO expansion.

You can find more information here Alibaba (NYSE.) Some Russian chocolate lovers purchased Russian chocolates from the Taobao Marketplace, an alternative e-commerce site. They left comments to say they support Russia.

“Huzzah, Huzzah, Huzzah! Russia, please add oilA popular Chinese phrase of encouragement was used by one to say this. “(I) wish people would buy more Russian goods, because supporting Russia is as important as supporting yourself.”

Although not quite as widespread, offline signs were displayed to express opinions on the war. An e-billboard, which stated “We are with Ukraine”, was found outside Beijing’s Canadian Embassy. The billboard had been painted in red and included a criticism of NATO.

Canadian Embassy referred the query to Ottawa. Ottawa did not respond immediately. China’s foreign ministry didn’t immediately reply to our request for comment.

There were some support online for Ukrainian products, however. Roshen Ukrainian chocolate confectionary, received a customer’s comment encouraging support for Ukraine. The Ukrainians will prevail!

($1 = 6.3179 renminbi)