China’s Nationalists Target Domestic Companies, Threatening Economic Recovery
In an effort to boost its economy, China has been championing its domestic companies and reassuring entrepreneurs that it is open for business. However, these efforts are being met with resistance from an unexpected source – an online army of Chinese nationalists.
These nationalists have taken it upon themselves to punish perceived insults to the country, including targeting some of China’s leading business figures. Recently, bloggers who typically criticize the United States turned their attention to China’s richest man, accusing him of being unpatriotic and calling for boycotts that resulted in billions being wiped out from his company’s market value. Even when other tycoons came to his defense, they too were attacked by these nationalists.
The fervor has spread to other areas as well, with social media users hounding tech giant Huawei, accusing it of secretly admiring Japan, and demanding the removal of works by a Nobel-winning Chinese author for allegedly smearing national heroes.
While the state has often encouraged nationalist sentiments for various purposes, the recent attacks have grown beyond its control. Some state media outlets and prominent figures have issued rare rebukes of the nationalist bloggers, but the barrage continues.
The grievances fueling this nationalist fervor seem to stem from a groundswell of discontent over China’s economic struggles, making it challenging for the authorities to quell the public anger. Calls for boycotts of companies like Nongfu Spring have been linked to concerns about high youth unemployment and dissatisfaction with corporate culture.
The attacks on Nongfu Spring and its billionaire owner, Zhong Shanshan, began with comparisons to a rival company known for its worker-friendly policies. However, the criticism quickly escalated to accusations of being unpatriotic, having ties to foreign shareholders, and even evoking Japanese imagery in product designs.
As the frenzy against Nongfu Spring intensified, other entrepreneurs who defended the company also came under fire. Despite efforts by state-owned media to calm the situation, the nationalist outrage persisted, highlighting the challenges of controlling such sentiments in a tightly controlled online environment.
The situation reflects a broader trend of blending anti-elite sentiments with aggressive nationalism, particularly in times of economic downturn. The allure of incendiary clickbait and the limited scope for dissent in China’s online space have further fueled these nationalist campaigns.
While nationalist furors often subside quickly, the recent attacks on various institutions and figures indicate a growing trend that may be harder to contain. The authorities are facing a delicate balancing act of managing public sentiment while promoting economic recovery and stability.
