Triumphant Homecoming Sparks Controversy: Meng Wanzhou's Return and China's Diplomatic Maneuver
The thrilling scene at Shenzhen Airport was set ablaze as Huawei's CFO, Meng Wanzhou, graced her return with a triumphant flourish. A crimson carpet laid waiting, while the crowd cheered, waving Chinese flags. Chants of patriotism echoed in the arrival hall, and the city center lights flickered with messages of welcome. Live broadcasts of the event by state media lasted for a staggering six hours, captivating over 83 million viewers, surpassing the viewership of China's manned space mission launch.
En route, Meng shared a heartfelt message via social media, expressing gratitude for her newfound freedom and her deep love for her beloved homeland. The message swiftly went viral, with state media recounting every word.
For the domestic audience, Meng's return signaled a victory in China's diplomatic campaign and the ascension of its political influence. The situation was spun as an instance of Meng being a victim of US political persecution, specifically targeting China's high-tech industry.
Legal expert Jeremy Daum, hailing from Yale Law School, observed that the narrative portrayed China as standing defiant against US tyranny, while Meng was positioned as a political scapegoat. State media emphasized Meng's admissions of wrongdoing, but the significance of her misleading HSBC regarding Huawei's Iranian subsidiary's relationship was downplayed, as highlighted by Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a renowned Chinese politics expert.
As China celebrated its success in the domestic sphere, the international community painted a significantly different picture. Many analysts pointed out China's ruling Communist Party's speedy release of the two Canadian citizens, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, shortly after Meng's captivity in Canada in December 2018. Both detainees, associated with businesses in North Korea, were eventually charged with espionage, widely perceived as retaliation for Meng's arrest.
China repeatedly asserted that it was not holding the two Canadians as political prisoners, stating on the same day of Meng's release that Spavor had "confessed" and was released on bail for medical reasons, neglecting to mention Meng's release.
Critics, such as Donald C. Clarke, an expert in Chinese law at George Washington University, doubted that the twin releases were prompted by Meng's detention or her subsequent release, positing that China was merely biding its time to strengthen its negotiation position in future hostage situations.
China's victory at home came at a price, with its international image suffering a significant setback. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of Canadians harboring negative sentiments towards China skyrocketed from 40% in 2017 to 73% in 2021. The estrangement between Canada and China escalated, culminating in the Canadian Parliament voting in February 2023 to label China as committing genocide against the Uighurs, a Muslim minority. In response, Canada, along with the US, and several other nations imposed sanctions on two Chinese officials for allegedly orchestrating human rights abuses against the Uighurs. China denies such accusations.
Whilst Meng's release and the subsequent liberation of the Canadians could potentially thwart US sanctions against Huawei, analysts at Jefferies suggested that it would not severely influence Huawei's fate, especially in regards to essential chipset support for 5G devices. Some critics denounced President Biden's handling of the Meng case as speculative capitulation to China.
Experts also raised concerns about the potential consequences of China's "hostage diplomacy," implying a deterrent for international travel to China. Whilst the likelihood of being detained is perceived to be low, its gravity is unquestionable. Drew Thompson, a visiting fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore, noted that China's strategy proved successful in fanning nationalist sentiment, further complicating its strained international relations.
In conclusion, China's triumph in its domestic realm carried a hefty toll on its global reputation and relations with Canada. The strategic release of Meng Wanzhou and the two Canadians exposed China's assertive behavior on the global stage, while raising questions about diplomatic norms and human rights.
