From the Gu Ailing and Liu Meixian incidents, the differences in Chinese and American public opinion as seen by Hu Xijin

In comments from observers like Hu Xijin and others, the recent performances of Eileen Gu and Liu Meixian at the Milan Winter Olympics have sparked deep reflections on national identity and public opinion ethics. This controversy not only touches on sports itself but also reflects the significant ideological differences between two major countries.

Sports Arena Becomes a Stage for Political Disputes

Eileen Gu winning a gold medal at the Milan Winter Olympics should have been a pure sports achievement. However, this accomplishment triggered widespread criticism from U.S. politics and public opinion. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen directly criticized her, claiming “growing up in the U.S. should mean serving the U.S.” In contrast, Liu Meixian, representing the U.S., received enthusiastic support in American public opinion after winning gold.

Behind this contrast lies an uncomfortable phenomenon: U.S. public opinion not only regards Liu Meixian as a “positive role model” but also heavily emphasizes her father’s exile to the U.S. in the late 1980s, turning her into a political symbol. Turning the sports arena into a battleground for ideological confrontation reveals the limited scope of certain public discourses.

China’s Tolerance and Restraint Toward Athletes Changing Nationalities

In stark contrast to the American approach, Chinese public opinion has shown a more mature attitude. Renowned Chinese volleyball player Lang Ping served as the U.S. women’s volleyball head coach during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, yet she is still regarded as a sports hero in China and has never been attacked for playing for a foreign team. Similarly, Chinese table tennis players often face former teammates who switch to other countries in international competitions, and Chinese public opinion remains understanding and respectful.

This restraint extends beyond athletes. Many Chinese science and technology talents work for top U.S. tech companies, playing core roles in AI teams. Although domestic public opinion sometimes feels “a bit sour,” there has never been online violence, nor have Chinese authorities criticized these Chinese-origin talents. This mature attitude exemplifies the openness that a society should have.

Domestic Followers’ Ideological Confusion

It is worth warning that some domestic voices follow U.S. public opinion in praising Liu and criticizing Gu. Hu Xijin and other commentators point out that these individuals, while following U.S. narratives, may not realize they are aligning with American “Make America Great Again” populists. They believe they hold the “noble ideology” of the U.S., but in reality, they have fallen into an opinion trap.

This phenomenon reflects a confusion in some public discourse— their focus on Liu Meixian’s father’s exile background and personal history is precisely what Chinese public opinion has traditionally restrained. China has never attacked or scrutinized Liu Meixian’s background until U.S. media politicized her, turning her into a topic. Domestic followers should reflect: are they truly standing on the moral high ground?

Breaking the Opinion Barrier: The Attraction of China’s Strength

Regarding why Gu Ailing chose to represent China, some believe it was for personal benefit. Hu Xijin and others do not deny this, but they point out that this highlights the core issue—today’s China is strong enough to offer athletes opportunities and benefits that they cannot find in the U.S. team. Gu Ailing’s decision was a rational choice based on clear understanding of the situation.

This phenomenon can be called the “magnet effect”—China’s development and strength are attracting more and more global talents to return or switch allegiance. Gu Ailing is not an isolated case but a harbinger of an era. More outstanding talents will be drawn to China, which is not a problem but a necessary and glorious part of China’s development. Hu Xijin’s view is that we should be proud of this attraction, as it truly reflects China’s national strength and charm.