Image source,Getty Images
After being detained by Canada for three years, Meng Wanzhou, an executive of the Chinese communications giant Huawei, flew to Shenzhen on a chartered plane from the Chinese government last Saturday (September 25). The incident triggered a wave of discussions on Chinese social media. Some Chinese netizens referred to Meng Wanzhou as a “national hero” and believed that her return to China was a victory for the country. However, some netizens pointed out that the Chinese government used her to return to China to stimulate people’s nationalism.
In December 2018, Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver, Canada. Her company, Huawei, was investigated for allegedly violating US sanctions against Iran. Soon after Meng Wanzhou was arrested, two Canadians were detained by Chinese police. Western countries criticized China’s arrest of two Canadians as “hostage diplomacy.”
The Chinese authorities have called the US accusations against Meng Wanzhou “purely fabricated.” The US and Canada detained arbitrarily. This is a persecution of Chinese citizens with the aim of suppressing Chinese high-tech companies.
“Heroic” treatment
Last Saturday night, Meng Wanzhou wore a red dress and walked down the gangway that night. She was welcomed like a hero. At the scene, people waved the Chinese national flag, put up banners, chanted “Welcome home”, and staff in protective clothing presented her with flowers.
After Meng Wanzhou gave a brief speech, he sang “Singing the Motherland” with the people on the scene.
Image source,Reuters
Last Saturday night, the Shenzhen Airport lobby also typed “Welcome Meng Wanzhou home” on the screen.
Meng Wanzhou’s return to China became a hot topic on social media that day, and he quickly appeared on Weibo’s hot search. Many Chinese people posted their Weibo friends circle to celebrate, believing that this was a testament to China’s strength and a victory for China’s diplomacy.
“She came back because it means that China is strong enough and powerful! It is no longer an era of slaughter, and can protect our citizens! Maintain our dignity!” said Weibo netizen “Orange Cat Touching Porcelain Victims” .
China’s state media CCTV broadcasted the entire live broadcast of Meng Wanzhou’s return to China. Shen Haixiong, deputy minister of the Central Propaganda Department, director and editor-in-chief of China Central Radio and Television, said that CCTV live coverage of Meng Wanzhou’s home is only available in new media such as CCTV and CCTV News Client under China Central Radio and Television. On the platform, the total number of likes reached 400 million, surpassing the total population of the United States and Canada.
In the propaganda of Chinese state media, Meng Wanzhou went home to prove that “The Communist Party of China, the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, and the great People’s Republic of China will always be the strongest backing for Chinese citizens.”
“People’s Daily” commented that the Meng Wanzhou incident fully demonstrated that China does not cause trouble, but it is not afraid of trouble.
“The Chinese people have never bullied, oppressed, or enslaved the people of other countries, and will never allow any foreign forces to bully, oppress, or enslaved us. The Chinese people will never agree to any person or force who wants to do this.” The article said.
The “Global Times” editorial believes that Meng Wanzhou’s release with “not guilty” is critical. The editorial believes that not guilty has safeguarded the dignity of itself and Huawei, and it has also effectively safeguarded China’s national dignity.
Questioning
Image source,Weibo
However, the high-profile publicity of Meng Wanzhou’s return to China by the Chinese state media has also aroused the resentment of some Chinese netizens. Some netizens believe that it is not appropriate to welcome Meng Wanzhou back to China in this way.
Weibo netizen “Tong Xi Yanan” said: “What did Meng Wanzhou do and he was detained in Canada? We never knew, and then we were greeted back like a national hero?”
“There are also people who went to Bao’an Airport to meet them. It felt like they were taking three to four thousand wages, and they were fucking with Huawei’s three to four hundred billion yuan.” “Tong Xi Yanan” said.
Meng Wanzhou Released and Leaving Canada “Thanks to the Motherland” Ending Three Years of Detention
Some netizens also believe that Meng Wanzhou is the “eldest princess of the big capitalist” and a member of the privileged class of China. The Chinese authorities used her to return home to promote Chinese diplomacy and strengthen patriotic propaganda.
“Meng Wanzhou returned to China, and the hot search on Weibo almost dominated the rankings. This vast battle is like a triumphant triumph of a national hero. In this situation, I cannot help asking, what contribution she has made to the country and what she has done for Huawei. Outstanding achievement? Her biggest contribution is probably the matter of being caught by Canada itself. In the past two years, she has contributed countless hot searches, not only saving huge marketing expenses for Huawei, but also providing abundant materials for China’s patriotism education. “Mr XX,” a Weibo netizen said.