PREMIUM NEWSLETTER | ISSUE #14

This week’s newsletter:
◼︎ 1. Editor’s Note – Walking on eggshells
◼︎ 2. What’s Trending – A closer look at the featured stories
◼︎ 3. What More to Know – Highlighting 8 hot topics
◼︎ 4. What Lies Behind – Dr. Pieke on China’s influence and interference
◼︎ 5. What’s Noteworthy – No consent to marry
◼︎ 6. What’s Popular – ‘Secret Agent Missions’
◼︎ 7. What’s Memorable – Meng Wanzhou back to the Motherland
◼︎ 8. Weibo Word of the Week – “Floracash”

Dear Reader,

Tears and apologies don’t seem to mean much in today’s social media era.

Not too long ago, a well-known Chinese female university professor known as ‘Xiangyi’ (相宜) posted an emotional video addressing an issue that happened some time ago. The professor, who previously became an internet celebrity with millions of followers, vanished from the public eye in 2022 due to criticism for her use of the phrase “our Japan” (“我们日本”) during a livestream when discussing Japanese authors and their works.

Xiangyi said “our Japan” three times and it sparked backlash, as viewers interpreted it as a sign of her loyalty to Japan over China. In her tearful video, she explained that it was merely a figure of speech (“口头语”), akin to saying, “This is our Teacher Zhang,” when introducing someone; “He is one of our Japanese authors.” While her choice of words did reflect her affection for the authors, it wasn’t necessarily an indicator of her greater commitment to Japan over China.

However, the consequences for Xiangyi were severe. She felt compelled to resign from her university position due to ongoing online harassment and “malicious reports.”

Xiangyi’s tearful video failed to garner sympathy from netizens, mirroring the response to ‘Lipstick King’ Li Jiaqi’s recent apology video for controversial comments made during a live stream. Both were dismissed as insincere and too little, too late.

In their recent videos, ‘teacher influencer’ and ‘beauty influencer’ Xiangyi and Li Jiaqi both cried and showed remorse over the controversy triggered by their livestreams.

Another recent social media controversy revolved around a photo on Apple’s Chinese-language webpage. It featured an Asian-looking individual with braided hair, leading some Chinese netizens to claim it insulted China. They believed the hairstyle resembled a queue, worn by male subjects during the Qing dynasty, and that Apple had deliberately and inappropriately used such an image to show Chinese individuals as being backward and unattractive.

It has since become evident that many assumptions about the image were unfounded. Contrary to the initial belief that the photo was exclusive to the Chinese page, the image appeared on Apple’s websites in multiple countries and featured a California-based Native American female employee, not of Chinese descent.

Nevertheless, many internet users and bloggers insisted that brands operating in China should pay more attention to the cultural context they operate in to avoid offending consumers. Although some also acknowledged the controversy was “excessive” or “overly sensitive,” a seeming majority still stood by their initial reaction to the photo.

This Weibo poll shows the image that caused controversy recently, with a majority of respondents suggesting this photo is “inappropriate.”

In recent years, many incidents that unfolded on Chinese social media, either in livestreams, online advertisements, or Weibo posts, have demonstrated that minor missteps can cause social media storms. One wrongly chosen word, image, or outfit can start an almost unstoppable wave of criticism that can end careers, close doors, and terminate accounts.

But what happens once livestreamers, celebrities, and brands have to watch their every single move? How does constant scrutiny affect creativity, humor, and authenticity? When the fear of causing offense becomes a threat to one’s reputation and livelihood, can open discussions still thrive? Are there still any images, advertisements, livestream channels or websites immune to controversy?

This discussion echoes debates seen on Western social media, where so-called ‘wokeness’ has become so divisive that it is harming support for the very issues it aims to be highlighting while ‘cancel culture’ can have detrimental impact on anyone whose opinions stir controversy.

In the Chinese context, social media has become an even greater pressure cooker for brands, influencers, and celebrities. Besides taking into account the legal limits of what they can say or do online, they must also navigate a labyrinth of unwritten rules, including those promoting moral and cultural values, projecting positivity and patriotism, all while delicately considering geopolitical and economic sensitivities.

Lately, some people have speculated that Li Jiaqi’s outburst during his livestream might have been a result of burnout and mental health issues stemming from years of striving to please various stakeholders, including audiences, companies, sponsors, platforms, and the media. It might be one of the most plausible observations about the situation. Regardless of the allure of money and fame, being an online influencer under constant public scrutiny on Chinese social media seems like an utterly exhausting job to have.

Best,
Manya (@manyapan)

What’s Trending

1: Cross-Generational Living | Chinese nursing homes are changing their image in the social media age. While Chinese vloggers experiment with living in old people’s homes, and nursing homes are modernizing their facilities, some senior care centers are offering young people the chance to reside in their communities for free – as long as they spend some time with their elderly residents.

2: Bad Apples? | There is a lot of Apple anger on Chinese social media this week. Two separate trending topics have ignited discussions. One revolves around Chinese actor Liu Jin, who smashed his iPhone 13 Pro Max in front of the Apple flagship store, while another one centers on an image of an Apple employee deemed inappropriate by Chinese netizens. But both viral trends have unfolded with surprisingly ‘juicy’ twists.

3: The Lipstick King Controversy | Li Jiaqi, also known as Austin Li the ‘Lipstick King,’ has become the focus of intense media attention in China over the two weeks. The controversy began when the popular beauty influencer responded with apparent annoyance to a viewer’s comment about the high price of an eyebrow pencil. As a result, his fans began unfollowing him, netizens started scolding him, Chinese state criticized him, and the memes started flooding in. Why did this case blow up? We explore three reasons.

What More to Know

Background photo: Lining up for Apple’s Pro Series in Beijing while the Huawei vs iPhone rivalry is flaring up. Image via Sina News.

◼︎ 1. Panic over Prefab Meals. As the new school season has started, the word “yùzhìcài” (预制菜), ‘pre-fabricated meal,’ is all over Chinese social media this week. This is partly because of angry parents discovering that their children’s school cafeterias have transitioned from freshly prepared meals to ready-made ones. This is part of a broader trend in China that has risen over recent years, but there is significant resistance to this change due to concerns over the meals lacking nutrition, containing too many additives, and not being safe enough. The Chinese Ministry of Education has responded to the controversy by stating that they do not encourage the widespread adoption of pre-made meals in schools; there is currently no nationally established unified standard for ready-made meals, and the top priority should be the “nutrition and healthy development of children.” (Various hashtags on Weibo, such as “CNR Discusses How Ready-Made Meals Are entering the Campus” #央广网评预制菜进校园#, 110 million views).

◼︎ 2. PhD Student Suicide. The death of a PhD student at Northwestern Polytechnical University (西北工业大学) in Xi’an became a major topic on Chinese social media this week. The male student, who majored in material science, faced challenges in both his studies and mental well-being. In the period before he jumped to his death, the man had exhibited unusual behavior and voiced concerns about others accessing his phone and computer. His death sparked conversations about the pressures faced by PhD students in China, particularly in STEM fields, and the concerning rate of depression among them. (Hashtag “31-Year-Old PhD Student Dies after Jumping Off Dorm Building” #31岁博士生宿舍楼坠楼身亡#, 160 million views).

◼︎ 3. Body Parts Found in Shijiazhuang. In a residential community in the Qiaoxi District of Shijiazhuang, neighbors were shocked when human body parts were found scattered around a residential building. Initially, fears of a homicide case spread across Chinese social media. However, the official investigation into the incident has since determined that it was not a homicide but a possible suicide. The victim has been identified as a 28-year-old woman who collided with a second-floor balcony during her fall from the building, resulting in the separation of her limbs. Foul play has now been ruled out. (Hashtag “Shijiazhuang Neighborhood: Remains of Human Body Suspected to Be Female” #石家庄某小区尸体残肢疑为女性#, 100 million views).

◼︎ 4. Uniqlo Incident. An incident that happened at a Uniqlo store in Xining on September 18 became a big topic of discussion. A female customer who was suspected of not paying for her purchases was physically restrained by two staff members who grabbed her by the neck and dragged her to the checkout counter. The incident quickly gained the attention of netizens after an eye-witness shared a video of the female customer breaking down in tears at the store. It later turned out that the customer had actually paid for all of her items, and the store staff was condemned for their violent behavior. The Uniqlo store in question was temporarily closed in light of the incident. (Hashtag: Female Customer Grabbed by Uniqlo Staff, Dragged Back to Checkout Counter” #女顾客被优衣库工作人员掐脖子拖回收银台#, 220 million views).

◼︎ 5. Bao’an Dies after Working in Hot Room The recent death of a 48-year-old security guard (commonly called ‘bao’an‘ 保安 in Chinese) has stirred significant online discussions after details surrounding the man’s death were exposed by his relatives. The man. Mr. Zhao, died a sudden death in his dormitory at night after another day working in the very hot security room where he spent most of his days. His wife later claimed the man worked 12-hour long shifts and had not had a day off for 190 days straight. On average, he worked 360 hours per month at the company, where he had worked for 14 years. His workplace, a cramped 10-square-meter room, was exposed to direct sunlight. During July and August, when the indoor temperature at his workplace exceeded 40°C (104°F), the man’s employer provided nothing but an electric fan to cool the security room. The family believes that the company seriously violated national laws, neglected the lives of its employees, and eventually led to Mr. Zhao’s “death by overwork” while being exposed to extreme temperatures. (Hashtag: “Bao’an Who Died in Hot Dorm Previously Complained about Heat in Room on Wechat Moments Four Times” #保安宿舍猝死曾4次发朋友圈称执勤室好热#, 260 million views).

◼︎ 6. iPhone 15 versus Huawei Mate 60. The rivalry between Apple and Huawei has been a trending topic lately, especially with Apple’s recent launch of the iPhone 15 shortly after Huawei introduced its latest flagship, the Mate 60 Pro 5G. While it’s evident which smartphone brand holds more favor in terms of nationalistic sentiments, criticism of Apple and its iPhone often appears to be more about words than actions. Thousands of Chinese consumers lined up for the latest iPhone model’s launch on Friday morning, and online sales saw a significant surge. (Hashtag “Do You Want the iPhone 15 or Huawei Mate 60?” #你要iphone15还是华为mate60#, 140 million views; “iPhone 15” #iphone15#, 710 million views).

◼︎ 7. Chinese Tourists: No Visa Needed for Thailand As of September 25, Chinese nationals can enter Thailand without a visa for a temporary stay of up to thirty days. This visa exemption, which will be in effect until February 29, was initiated by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin as a measure to boost local tourism. It is expected to attract an additional 5 million tourists to Thailand. Many netizens on Weibo expressed their excitement and welcomed this news. Earlier this year, Thailand gained popularity for its warm reception of Chinese tourists in the post-pandemic travel era. Thai authorities not only waived the requirement for Covid tests or vaccination proof but also went the extra mile by having Cabinet ministers personally greet Chinese tourists at Bangkok’s airport with flowers and gifts. (Hashtag: “Thailand Implements 5-Month Visa-Free Policy for China” #泰国对中国实施5个月免签政策#, 110 million clicks).

◼︎ 8. Putin is Coming to China. Over the past two weeks, while social and societal topics have taken the spotlight on Weibo and Douyin trending lists, there have also been trending discussions related to geopolitical affairs, with a particular focus on Vladimir Putin. Firstly, this was due to Putin’s significant meeting with Kim Jong-un. Secondly, China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, had a meeting with the Russian president in St. Petersburg this week. During their discussions, Putin confirmed his upcoming visit to Beijing in October for the Belt and Road Summit. This topic garnered significant attention, making headlines in multiple news outlets and ranking high in top trends on Baidu News. (Hashtags “Putin Meets Wang Yi #普京会见王毅#, 64 million views; “China Responds to Putin’s October Beijing Visit” #中方回应普京10月将访华#, 300k views).

What Lies Behind

Dr. Pieke on China’s Influence and Interference

From suspicious balloons to new counter-espionage laws, there has been extensive discourse surrounding possible foreign interference in China over the past year. However, discussions about Chinese influence in foreign countries are equally lively, if not more intense.

Earlier this week, Amsterdam’s De Balie discussion center hosted an event dedicated to Chinese influence in Europe, with a particular focus on the Netherlands. At the core of this discussion was Professor Frank Pieke’s research (formerly of the University of Oxford and MERICS Berlin, now at Leiden University) on the influence and interference of the People’s Republic of China among the Chinese population in the Netherlands. This research was conducted on behalf of the Ministries of Justice and Security, Foreign Affairs, and Defense.

During the event, Pieke offered valuable insights and urged the audience to approach discussions about China’s political influence on other countries with greater nuance. Pieke argued that, both in the Dutch context and elsewhere, reactions to China are increasingly based on stereotypes or preconceived notions rather than the actual situation. Over the years, political institutions in the West and journalism have become more biased toward China, a trend that Pieke finds concerning.

This bias and preconception have a twofold impact. Firstly, it hampers relations with China, which are mutually beneficial in many ways. Secondly, it blinds us to the real concerns that Europe and other Western countries should have.

Pieke pointed out, “Nowadays, there is a tendency in ongoing debates to lump together all forms of contact with China and categorize it as ‘Chinese interference,’ whether it’s a friendly conversation over a cup of coffee, a briefing by the Chinese embassy, espionage activities by Chinese companies, or the way the Chinese government tries to influence people. This is something I continually caution against.”

Pieke emphasized the need to encourage extensive contact with China, as there are numerous forms of Sino-Dutch and Sino-foreign relations that are not only harmless but also desirable and fruitful. However, Pieke cautioned that certain trends and developments have the potential to be harmful, and Dutch authorities should pay special attention to these.

As long as we maintain bias and categorize all forms of contact with China together, the process of addressing these specific issues becomes nearly impossible. This simplistic portrayal of everything related to China or the Party as bad, evil, or unwanted hinders constructive dialogue and effective policy-making.

Meanwhile, Pieke found that while the Communist Party does indeed exert influence over Chinese organizations and media abroad, this influence is used sparingly in practice. In essence, there is relatively little direct interference; they have the potential for it but do not extensively employ it in Dutch society.

A significant finding from Pieke’s research is that Chinese individuals living in Holland either do not perceive this influence or hold limited opinions about it. What can be observed though, is that Chinese in the Netherlands adjust their behavior based on what they believe may be viewed as ‘desirable’ or ‘undesirable’ by both the Chinese government and other Chinese individuals in their overseas communities. Pieke labels this as a form of “soft power” or “soft threat,” distinct from self-censorship. The primary control of this ‘influence’ predominantly rests with overseas Chinese themselves.

PREMIUM NEWSLETTER | ISSUE #13

This week’s newsletter:
◼︎ 1. Editor’s Note – The Subway Judge
◼︎ 2. What’s Trending – A closer look at the featured stories
◼︎ 3. What More to Know – Highlighting 8 hot topics
◼︎ 4. What Lies Behind – Beyond Huawei’s latest release
◼︎ 5. What’s Noteworthy – Digging through the Great Wall
◼︎ 6. What’s Popular – Oppenheimer, censored
◼︎ 7. What’s Memorable – Kimono problems
◼︎ 8. Weibo Word of the Week – “Anti-Radiation”

Featured header contains a meme that has spread online, posted by account @肉肉杀手zz

Dear Reader,

A new character was added to China’s memeverse this week. He is called the ‘Subway Judge’ (Dìtiě Pànguān, 地铁判官), a young man who gained notoriety for an incident that occurred on a Qingdao subway this week.

In a video of the incident that went completely viral on Chinese social media, an elderly man and a woman got into an argument with another female passenger over seating arrangements. The woman was accused of taking up two seats, which infuriated the man, prompting him to shout, “So I can take ten seats if I want!”

In this moment, the young man, wearing a Vans t-shirt, approached the scene upon hearing the commotion and he seemingly intervened in the name of justice: he looked at the elderly man in disbelief upon hearing him yell about taking ten seats. Without hesitation, he slapped the elderly man on the cheek and then walked away, leaving everyone bewildered.

The Subway Judge meme: within that brief moment, he transitioned from confusion, assessing the situation, to decisively making up his mind, and taking action when seeing ‘injustice.’

It is this moment, just a mere few seconds, that made the young man instantly famous, and he was hailed as a hero for daring to step up when witnessing injustice, for confronting an elderly, for daring to handing out a slap when people are behaving uncivilized in public spaces -especially on public transport. The incident sparked a series of memes, and the T-shirt worn by the young man soon sold out on Taobao.

In some memes, the ‘Subway Judge’ was depicted with a crescent moon on his forehead, like Bao Zheng (包拯), a Chinese historical figure who is known as one of China’s most celebrated upright and just officials who even dared to contradict the emperor.

The praise for the “Subway Judge” mirrors the exasperation and powerlessness many feel in the face of uncivilized conduct in public places. It’s precisely because his actions are so unusual – who among the younger generation would dare to deliver a slap to an elderly individual’s face?! – that they resonate with younger people, who find it refreshing to witness such a bold and unconventional response.

One account pretending to be the “Subway Judge” wrote down the basics of his character: “First! Never act on impulse. Second! Never let any wrongdoing slip through. Third! Ensure the absolute fairness of judgment. The Subway Righteous Judge (地铁正义判官) is here to make a righteous appearance!” Some vloggers have even gone out in public pretending to be the ‘Subway Judge.’

Various Subway Judge memes.

As usually happens when small incidents go viral so fast, the real circumstances behind the meme are overlooked. The elderly man had not meant his words to be taken so literally; the younger man had misunderstood the situation; and physical violence should not be praised. The incident’s aftermath involved the elderly man filing a police report. Local authorities have stated that the man who slapped him has mental health issues, and that both parties have now reached an agreement, resolving the issue.

Meanwhile, the legacy of the Subway Judge lives on in China’s online meme culture.

Isn’t it ironic that in this time when people are desperately searching for common sense, boldness, and a fresh perspective, the individual hailed as a hero turns out to be struggling with ‘mental illness’? Perhaps it’s indicative of the times we live in, prompting us to question who the ‘sick’ ones actually are. Maybe we all need a slap of reality.

Miranda Barnes and Ruixin Zhang have contributed to this week’s newsletter.

Best,
Manya (@manyapan)

PS In case you missed it, some of the viral videos I tweeted about this week:

➡️ The viral moment in the Qingdao subway.

➡️ It seems that Jay Chou’s concerts in Tianjin were quite spectacular. The Tianjin Olympic Center, with a capacity of 54,696 seats, provided an impressive venue. According to a previous report by GT, a whopping 5.2 million people had expressed their interest in attending one of Jay’s four Tianjin concerts, with the final one happening today. Remarkably, around 130,000 tickets were sold within just 30 seconds after becoming available for purchase.

➡️ Amid discussions over draft law banning clothes harmful to the “spirit, feelings of the Chinese nation,” this incident sparked discussions: Chinese wearing Tang clothes were denied entry at Panlongcheng Park, Wuhan, after local guard mistook their clothes for Japanese attire. Watch video here.

➡️ Shinjuku restaurant puts up a sign saying all their food comes from Fukushima. This Chinese vlogger feels wronged and calls the police. Video with subtitles.

➡️ And some viral pictures showed that not everyone is appreciating the latest collaboration hype between Luckin coffee and Maotai liquor.

What’s Trending

1: From Baijiu Latte to DIY Liquor Coffee | Would you like a shot with that? China’s coffee culture is brewing up something new as it embraces the fusion of coffee and alcohol. This blossoming trend, such a hot topic online this week thanks to the hyped Luckin x Maotai collaboration, is sparking curiosity and discussions about its lasting impact on coffee culture in China.

2: A Different Eco-anxiety Discourse | This year, as China faced extreme heat and severe floods, various English-language media outlets noticed a lack of public discourse on climate change in China. Unlike the West, where discussions on extreme weather link to human-caused climate change, China doesn’t often connect global warming to its carbon emissions or manufacturing practices. Instead, concerns about ecological challenges and the future are directed toward different topics. In our recent article, we explore how climate change, global warming, and environmental activism may not be as prominent in daily life and online media in China as in the West, but certain ecological topics, often promoted by state media and amplified by the public, gain all the more attention.

3: Cultural Sensitivities vs. Personal Freedom: | China’s recent proposal to ban clothing that “hurts national feelings” has triggered social media debates about freedom of dress and cultural sensitivities. The controversial amendment has raised questions about who decides what’s offensive for which reason. While some argue for the significance of protecting national pride, others emphasize the value of personal expression. Amid these discussions, an incident sparked discussions: Chinese wearing Tang clothes were denied entry at Panlongcheng Park, Wuhan, after local guard mistook their clothes for Japanese attire (see video).

What More to Know

Tianjin’s diving grandpas had to stop their diving activities after rising to internet fame, causing too many people to dive into the river.

◼︎ 1. G20 without Xi. While the BRICS Summit was one of the hot topics mentioned in our previous Weibo Watch newsletter, the G20 (二十国集团) in India is the big international event that is receiving the most attention this week. The most noteworthy issue about it is that Xi Jinping is not attending the summit, held between 9–10 September, even though he has never missed a G20 summit before. Instead, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang (李强) is attending the meetings, and he called for solidarity and cooperation, and a strengthened coordination of macroeconomic policies on Saturday. (Hashtag “G20 summit” #g20峰会#, 310 million views).

◼︎ 2. Morocco Earthquake. The major earthquake in Morocco has been dominating headlines all over the world, and is also a big topic on Weibo. At least 2,012 people have been killed and 2,059 injured in Friday’s devastating earthquake. Xi Jinping extended China’s condolences to the King of Morocco. After the devastating earthquake that hit southern Turkey and northern Syria in February of this year, various rescue groups from all over China came to assist in the quake-hit areas. (Weibo hashtag: “Morocco 6.9-Magnitude Earthquake” #摩洛哥6.9级地震#, 120 million views.)

◼︎ 3. Extreme Rain & Floods. Over the past week, Hong Kong and Shenzhen experienced the most severe rainfall on record, causing traffic problems, school and office closures, and ongoing flood concerns. This heavy rain was a result of the lingering impact of Typhoon Haikui, which had struck Taiwan, Fujian, and Guangdong earlier in the week. With a red alert (the highest warning level) in place on Friday, local authorities urged residents to stay home and reach out to official channels for assistance if needed. (Weibo hashtags “Shenzhen Rainstorms” #深圳暴雨#, 2 billion views; “Hong Kong Torrential Rains” #香港暴雨#, 280 million views).

◼︎ 4. Girl Hospitalized with Skull Fracture Following Teacher’s Attack. A disturbing incident has captured the attention of Chinese social media this week as a 9-year-old girl in Changsha city was admitted to the hospital after being assaulted by her teacher. The incident transpired during an after-school activity when the 40-year-old teacher reportedly used a glass ruler to strike the student in an attempt to ‘maintain order.’ The girl, who sustained a fractured skull, has regained consciousness following surgery. The teacher has been detained pending an investigation into the incident. (Hashtag “Teacher under Public Security Investigation for Fracturing Student’s Skull #公安介入调查老师打碎学生头骨#, 130 million views; Female Student Whose Skull was Fractured by Teacher has Awaken #被老师打破头骨女生已清醒#, 180 million views).

◼︎ 5. Tianjin’s Diving Grandpas Tell People To Stop Diving. Recently, Tianjin’s “diving grandpas” have gained significant attention for their daring dives into the river from the Stone Lion Forest Bridge (狮子林桥), becoming an internet sensation. The elderly men, who have ample experience, have now called on the public to stop coming to Tianjin to imitate their actions, as it is leading to social media influencers flocking to the bridge to dive, causing dangerous situations. While the city authorities are now investigating the safety of the site, the grandpas also have stopped their diving activities after thirty years. It’s the downside of internet fame! (Hashtag: “Tianjin ‘Uncles’ Announce Withdrawal from Lion Forest Bridge Diving” #天津大爷们宣布退出狮子林桥跳水#, 180 million views)

◼︎ 6. CNKI Fined. China’s Cyberspace Administration has taken legal action against the private-owned publishing company CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) for unlawfully collecting personal data. CNKI allegedly collected personal information without obtaining consent, failed to provide clear disclosure of its data collection policies, and neglected to delete user personal data upon account cancellation. As a result, CNKI has been instructed to halt its illegal handling of personal information and has been fined 50 million RMB (approximately $6 million USD). (Weibo hasthag #知网被罚款5000万元#, 160 million views)

◼︎ 7. Weibo Bans Crypto Influencers. This week, China’s tightening grip on cryptocurrency activities became more evident as Weibo removed the accounts of 80 cryptocurrency influencers, each with over 8 million followers, as reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP). This move follows a broader crackdown initiated in August 2022 when the Cyberspace Administration of China removed thousands of crypto-related accounts and posts promoting virtual assets. Weibo had previously banned prominent figures like Binance co-founder Yi He and cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun as part of the government’s efforts to regulate the virtual asset industry, which began in 2019. In September 2021, ten Chinese government agencies collectively declared numerous cryptocurrency-related activities as illegal financial practices. (Read the SCMP report here).

◼︎ 8. Controversial “Drink Milk” Plan for Students. A school in Suiping County, Henan, sparked controversy recently when a teacher required parents to provide medical documentation proving their child’s inability to consume milk if they chose not to subscribe to the school’s milk program. China introduced the National School Milk Programme (学生饮用奶计划) in 2000 to encourage dairy consumption for students’ healthy growth, but participation is meant to be voluntary. This incident brought attention to the issue of “hidden costs” within China’s education system and the pressure placed on parents to cover various expenses, some of which may involve commissions for the school. The school later clarified that the requirement regarding the milk was an individual initiative by one of their teachers, and that appropriate action had been taken, including reprimanding the teacher for their actions. (Weibo hashtag “Students Who Don’t Subscribe to Milk Need Proof of Hospital Diagnosis” #学生不订奶要开县级医院以上诊断证明#, 160 million views).

What’s Behind the Headlines

Beyond Huawei’s Mate60 Release

The early release of the latest Huawei smartphone Mate60 Pro on August 28th sparked a wide range of online discussions this week. As the phone is believed to be armed with homegrown cutting-edge technology, Chinese tech bloggers rushed to get their hands on the Mate60 Pro to present their followers with their detailed analysis of the piece. Some videos on this topic garnered over 100 million views within a single day.

While many Chinese consumers are excited about the technological aspects, Huawei’s actions are also scrutinized in the context of China-US geopolitical tensions. The surprising release without a traditional press conference coincided with the visit of US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to China. The Mate60 Pro, equipped with the Kirin 9000s chip, a domestic 7 nanometer (nm) innovation, is seen by some as a response to US tech sanctions. People analyzed details to ascertain if the timing was intentional. Some noted that Chinese Premier Li Qiang had visited several tech firms in Shenzhen, including Huawei, just a week before Raimondo’s scheduled visit. Others observed that a Weibo post from an account widely believed to represent China’s state media (央视新闻) featured a watermark of the Huawei Mate60 Pro on the same day as Raimondo’s press conference in Shanghai, which was the day after the new phone’s launch. Many view this as a display of China’s confidence in its tech capabilities despite US sanctions, and they humorously portrayed Raimondo as the best ambassador for the Huawei Mate60 Pro through memes.

Simultaneously, some expressed frustration that the West appeared relatively quiet as China is making strides in chip development. They were eager to see how the West would react. However, after the initial week, some Western reactions did come to the forefront. During the same week, news emerged that China was prohibiting certain civil service and government officials from using iPhones. The hashtag “Will you switch from iPhone to Huawei this year?” (“今年你会从iPhone转华为吗”) ranked second on the hot search lists and received nearly 180 million views. People appear to be rooting for more than just the latest Huawei smartphone; it’s become a symbol of technological independence.

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