Huawei and the Party Leader Share the Same Psychological Issue

Recently, videos featuring the traditional toy "Bamboo Cicada" have been accused of subtly mocking Huawei. In response, Huawei has launched large-scale complaints across various social media and short video platforms, claiming "damage to business reputation," which has ignited widespread debate online. (Video screenshot composite)

[People News] The accusations against the "Bamboo Cicada" videos led Huawei to file extensive complaints, asserting that the content harmed its business reputation. The incident quickly gained traction on social media, and the "Bamboo Cicada" has since become a new meme for netizens to parody and imitate, resulting in a surge in purchases.

Huawei's fragile self-esteem has been wounded by a mere toy.

As reported by the Dajiyuan, a mainland blogger shared a video introducing the "Bamboo Cicada," clarifying that the video did not reference any specific company or individual. Nevertheless, Huawei lodged a complaint, claiming that the video "damaged the public image of the company and entrepreneurs, infringing on their reputation rights."

"I don't understand whose rights this toy has violated. Who is so offended and embarrassed?" the blogger remarked. "Are we not even allowed to play with the toys we had as children? This is too overbearing."

The Bamboo Cicada is a bamboo toy that resembles a cicada and produces a sound similar to that of a cicada when spun.

According to the Xiaoxiang Morning Post, some Chinese netizens have humorously referred to the atmosphere at Huawei's launch event as being filled with exclamations of 'wow'. Whenever Yu Chengdong, Chairman of Huawei's Consumer Business Group, introduces new features, announces specifications, or reveals prices, the audience consistently responds with a chorus of 'wow'. The frequency and exaggerated nature of these reactions have led to them being compiled into a fixed 'sound effect'.

Some netizens have observed that the 'bamboo cicada' produces a 'wow wow' sound when it moves, which resembles the audience's astonished reactions at the Huawei event. They began to mimic Yu Chengdong's speech style, adding captions like "the best toy under 10 million" to create humorous short videos.

Consequently, Huawei launched a large-scale complaint against the platform, claiming "damage to commercial reputation," which resulted in the removal of many related videos, affecting numerous innocent accounts as well. The incident quickly gained traction, leading to widespread discussion.

Netizens voiced their opinions, stating, "Am I infringing by showcasing a toy? I didn't mention Yu Chengdong's name or insult Huawei; how is that damaging to their reputation?" "I'm curious, what connection does the bamboo cicada have with Yu Chengdong? That's quite a stretch." "You don't understand Huawei's arrogance." "Some brands have become untouchable subjects of criticism, and even mentioning them is abnormal."

As public sentiment continued to escalate, the 'bamboo cicada' went viral across the internet, with many netizens eagerly purchasing the toy and creating parody videos featuring it.

A blogger remarked, "This is no longer just a toy issue; it's a brand communication crisis."

China's internet has effectively silenced any mockery of Xi Jinping's 'Winnie the Pooh'.

Both Huawei and Xi are afflicted by the same issue.

If Huawei's self-esteem was undermined by a small toy, then Xi Jinping, the leader of the Communist Party, can be said to have been brought down by a plush toy known as 'Winnie the Pooh'.

There is a psychological phenomenon that suggests the more one seeks apparent absolute authority, the deeper their inner fears of 'losing control' and 'being exposed' become, leading to increasingly fragile self-esteem.

On the surface, Huawei appears to be just a commercial company focused on profit and technology; however, 99% of its stock is owned by the Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd. Trade Union Committee (referred to as the Trade Union). In Communist China, trade unions are under government control, which means that the actual owner of Huawei is likely the Communist Party government. Consequently, it is not surprising that the Communist Party has shaped Huawei into a 'technological totem representing national rejuvenation and resisting American imperialist hegemony'. Once Huawei embraced this 'sacred narrative', any criticism or mockery of its products, such as 'far ahead' or 'bamboo cicada', is no longer regarded as mere consumer feedback or internet jokes, but is instead equated with 'lack of patriotism', 'pessimism about Chinese technology', and 'collaboration with Western forces'.

Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Communist Party, has set himself up as the sole leader in guiding the Chinese nation towards a great rejuvenation, considering himself a 'wise leader.' He is enthusiastic and enamored with the idea of directing various sectors and other countries in 'indicating the direction of development.' However, when he hears any personal mockery aimed at him, such as '200 jin,' 'pig head,' 'steamed bun,' 'Winnie the Pooh,' or 'Emperor Qingfeng,' or any criticism of his policies, he perceives what would normally be seen as political dissent as elevated to 'endangering national security,' 'challenging the authority of the Party,' and 'political disloyalty.' 

Once Huawei and the Party leader regard themselves as 'sacred representatives,' they attain a moral high ground, allowing any dissenting voices to be confidently labeled as 'damaging the country' or 'harming collective interests,' thereby justifying the use of extreme measures for suppression.

They will amplify any minor online satire into a crisis, preferring to mistakenly punish a thousand jokes rather than let a single meme go unchecked. Meanwhile, the internet censorship apparatus, in order to remain accountable to higher authorities, will continuously expand its list of sensitive words, from '200 jin' to 'Winnie the Pooh,' and then to various obscure homophones.

This 'pathological sensitivity' can suppress all dissenting voices in the short term through an iron fist and censorship, leaving only praise and silence in its aftermath. However, it cannot stop the public from mentally registering all this absurdity. When a system relies on silencing '200 jin' and 'bamboo cicada' to maintain its authority, its sense of grandeur in the eyes of the masses has already faded away.

(People News first published)
△