China tries to rally national pride as it paints Meng Wanzhou’s release as proof the US targeted an innocent woman for political reasons
- State media glosses over a signed admission of wrongdoing – but not guilt – as it celebrates Huawei executive’s return home
- Meng’s case is being painted as a victory for China despite US attempts to suppress the country’s technological advances
The return of Meng Wanzhou to China without legal penalty is being used to shore up nationalist sentiment by feeding up the narrative that Huawei and China were innocent victims of the United States.
Repeating Beijing’s line on the case, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying on Saturday commented in a statement that this was “an incident of political persecution against a Chinese citizen” and there were “materials that are sufficient to prove Ms Meng‘s innocence”.
“The so-called ‘fraud’ charges against Ms Meng Wanzhou are purely fabricated,” she said.
An editorial in People’s Daily, mouthpiece of the Communist Party also emphasised that the Huawei Technologies executive, who was arrested in Canada on a US extradition warrant, had been detained “without violating any Canadian law” and said the case was intended to suppress Chinese tech companies.
China’s state media silent over release of Canada’s ‘two Michaels’
“The so-called law cited by the United States and Canada is nothing but a tool to serve the US interests,” the editorial said. “The essence of the Meng case was that the United States tried to obstruct, or even interrupt China’s development process.”
“In entering into the deferred prosecution agreement, Meng has taken responsibility for her principal role in perpetrating a scheme to defraud a global financial institution,” said acting US attorney Nicole Boeckmann in a press release.
03:53
Chinese netizens swoon over hero’s return and husband’s greeting for Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou
However, the deal demands no form of ongoing cooperation from the Huawei executive, and the charges against her will be dropped entirely in December 2022.
The fact that the company’s chief finance officer has admitted to wrongdoing, albeit without admitting guilt, has little bearing on many Chinese people – many of whom, observers say, regard her release as a victory for the country.
Wang Yiwei, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing said the Chinese people were truly happy and excited because they feel that China has become a leader in the digital era, after being an underdog since the industrial revolution.
“This reminded the Chinese that ‘the American imperialism is a paper tiger’, that they can’t break you as long as you don’t give up,” said Wang.
“Our Chinese values are simple … everyone holds some admiration deep down for those in the weaker position who dare to face and challenge the powerful,” one Weibo user wrote.
Thousands track Huawei exec Meng Wanzhou’s return flight to China
“Huawei isn’t a morally perfect company but that didn’t prevent us from feeling happy for their victory.”
Lu Xiang, a research fellow in US studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that Huawei, represents the rapid advance of Chinese technology and is one of the few areas where China is ahead of the US.
Lu argued that this also boosts national pride, which naturally attracts support. “The US made a mistake [to target Huawei] from the start,” he said.
Huawei said in a statement on Friday that it would “continue to defend itself against the allegations in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York”.
Meng landed in China on Saturday evening to a national hero’s welcome in Huawei’s hometown of Shenzhen, in an event that media portrayed as a sign of a strong country and a diplomatic coup for Beijing.
A 100-strong crowd welcomed her with patriotic chants and songs and the event was live-streamed to over 100 million online viewers.
A commentary on the state broadcaster China Central Television credited the Chinese government for Meng’s release, comparing it to the evacuation of Chinese citizens in war zones like Yemen and Afghanistan.
‘Finally, I am home’: Meng Wanzhou lands in China to hero’s welcome
“Whenever our compatriots are in danger, our state always steps in at the right time”, said the commentary, which has received 100,000 likes.
Zhu Feng, an international relations expert with Nanjing University, said describing it as a victory was down to nationalist emotion, because all sides had made compromises.
03:41
Meng Wanzhou returns to China and Canadians freed after US court reaches deal with Huawei CFO
The two Canadians detained on spying charges – Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor – were freed soon after Meng’s release in what is widely believed to be a quid pro quo, and Zhu said the US could now expect trade talks to reopen.
Additional reporting by Wendy Wu
