Huawei faces backlash over 'bamboo cicada' meme, dividing Chinese public opinion

Chinese tech giant Huawei has ignited a debate over corporate tolerance and patriotism after its automotive division reported a meme that poked fun at its car launch event. The meme, which circulated widely on Chinese internet platforms, humorously juxtaposed the 'wawa' sound produced by a traditional bamboo toy called 'zhuzhiao' (bamboo cicada) with the enthusiastic applause from attendees at a Huawei event.

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The customs compound is littered with boulders, and it is no longer safe for employees to stay there.

The specific target of the meme was Yu Chengdong, a Huawei executive, whose effusive promotion of the AITO vehicle, calling it the "best SUV," was satirized by the synthesized bamboo toy sound. Huawei's action of reporting the meme led to the deletion of some related videos, sparking criticism from Chinese netizens who felt the company could not tolerate even minor jokes. This backlash saw a surge in sales of the bamboo toy on e-commerce platforms.

In response to the controversy, Huawei's smart car subsidiary, Hongmeng Zhixing, issued a statement clarifying that their actions were routine measures to protect their rights against malicious edits and impersonations, and not specifically targeting the "bamboo cicada" meme. The company stated it respects normal online expression and good-faith criticism while also vowing to protect its legal rights.

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Staff ran for safety when the large boulders started coming down.

However, the explanation did little to quell the public discussion. Zhejiang Propaganda, the social media account of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee's propaganda department, indirectly criticized Huawei, suggesting that stronger companies should be more open to discussion and that hearing dissenting voices is a sign of confidence. Conversely, Jiangsu's official media outlet, Lizi News, defended Huawei's move as demonstrating "unyielding spirit" and questioned whether the public has the right to demand more leniency from a company that has overcome foreign sanctions. Media scholar Wei Wuhui noted that Huawei's status as a symbol of patriotism since the return of its CFO Meng Wanzhou in 2021 has created an "oppressive atmosphere" where criticism is discouraged, leading to pent-up public dissatisfaction.

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People could have been killed had this happened during working hours.