Chinese tech giant Huawei’s Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou arrived in China ending her three-year detention in Canada. Meng reached China on a charter plane at the airport with red carpets rolled out and a roaring crowd of students, government officials, and common citizens welcoming her with waving Chinese flags. This kind of reception is usually reserved for presidents and dignitaries of other countries during official visits. These grand receptions are usually seen during Xi Jinping’s official visits to prefectures and provinces. For instance, Xi’s recent visit to the so-called Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) ahead of the 70th anniversary of the “peaceful liberation” of Tibet saw a grand welcome at the Nyingchi airport with red carpet and citizens including monks, officials, students, and common citizens. Meng Wanzhou, who is not a government leader and not even a district official, saw such reception raised questions in the circles of political analysts and research scholars. The protocol of reception reserved for high-ranking government officials is overruled for her reception.
China is currently at an important juncture where the Chinese economy developing and aiming at suppressing the United States to reach the top of the world economy. On the flip side, China is facing internal rifts in its political sphere with Xi’s attack on corruption in the country. This resulted in the arrests of major political leaders with their private assets confiscated by the government. This has resulted in a growing rival against Xi among the communist party members; this is further escalated in even conspiracy of Xi’s murder. The US-China trade war has also added to the economic woes of China. The international sentiments against China have turned sour since the Covid -19 pandemic rocked the world. These factors have collectively affected the sentiments of the common Chinese people which is detrimental in keeping the country under control and prevent the risks of any uprisings. Under these circumstances, the Chinese government has chosen to resurrect the nationalistic pride of the people by completely censoring the shortcomings of the government, and highlighting the minor glories of the government to such an extent that it creates the illusion of might and power of China to the top of the world. This creates a positive image of china in its citizen’s minds and pulls them towards the side of the government. Therefore, the recent Meng Wangzhou return was heavily broadcasted through TV, radio, newspaper, magazines, and the internet nationally and internationally. The official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, People’s Daily has even published editorials about how Meng’s return is the victorious glory of China and how “glorious China” cannot be stopped by anyone. The government has further pushed the comments on the internet about the nationalistic pride of China. On the contrary, there are few opinions online about Meng’s return to China that is parallel to that of the government. Some of them have criticized how her return has no significance in common people’s lives, and technology issues in some provinces need more attention from the government than her return to China. This has indicated discontent from some sections of the Chinese society where normally the communist party’s actions are accepted wholeheartedly. Some of the editorials have even questioned the government’s lax attitude towards Huawei while there is a massive crackdown on Chinese companies on the charges of corruption and violations of law.
There have been speculations about the influence on Huawei with its founder and CEO has a history of association with the military, and there are growing opinions about Huawei being a technology manufacturing unit for the Chinese military. It is further speculated that the reason for the Chinese government to protect Huawei is due to its accusation of espionage through its products and services. Meng Wangzhou’s arrest at the Canada airport is also rumored to link with this. It is clear that the current release of Meng Wangzhou is temporary and charges against her are not completely resolved. It is important to note that, even though the Chinese government has not clearly stated the reason for her charges and arrest, Meng Wangzhou has admitted her role in global financial fraud and charges against her.
Translated from Tibetan
