It is 20th May, Valentines’ Day in China

while it faces unprecedented display of rejection by rest of the world

China has a bad rep recently.

A mysterious virus was first discovered in a wet market in Wuhan the disputed epicentre of the novel corona-virus. In early January during Chinese New Year, travellers of the festive season did not help by spreading the virus across the mainland, quickly forcing the Chinese government to lockdown the cities in what was deemed a draconian attempt to curb the virus then. The de-facto cover-up stance of the Chinese government began in full throttle to save its top priority — face. But backlash grew out of hand, especially fuelled by a whistle-blower's death. In an attempt to appease the masses, the Chinese government changed its propaganda from cover-up to solidarity, this time promising an inquiry to the doctor’s death and hailing the frontliners as national heroes.

As if fighting an enemy larger than life isn’t enough, China also had to face the US-China trade tension, Hong Kong protests, Taiwan’s claim to sovereignty, and most recently the world in the World Health Assembly’s virtual summit.

Today, 20th of May, or “520”(wǔ èr lǐng) as the catchphrase and phonetic onomatopoeia of 我爱你(wǒ aì nǐ), may be the time for doe-eyed youngster to confess their love. But certainly not for the country. Here is a quick glance at the display of rejection from the world.

Hong Kong Protests

Outsiders might think the protest has quell by now, given the largely muted reporting on it in the news. But protesters on the ground prims themselves for fresh demonstrations on the five demands (“Five demands, not one less”) with police-inquiry as one of its main concerns.

Young Hong Kongers have already began gathering in smaller group singing slogans and haranguing at the malls.

Taiwan’s claims to sovereignty

Taiwan has always been at odds on the matters of sovereignty. It only exacerbates due to its exclusion from WHO, who did not recognise its membership.

Ironically, Taiwan came up tops for its world-class handling of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Today is a special day too for Taiwan, not only because of 520, but also because of the presidential and vice-presidential inauguration. Many nations, including the U.S. by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Not surprisingly, China has since expressed “strong indignation and condemnation over congratulations”.

US-China trade tariffs

Chip and 5G was caught in the spotlight amidst the trade-war. The rush to be the leading 5G tech producer has pressured telecommunication companies to compete.

This chart may not come as a surprise. One way to determine the leading companies in 5G is to analyse their patents held and applied in that area.

In effort to stall Huawei, and supersede it eventually, the U.S. in May barred companies from selling to the Chinese telecom giant, sending chip stocks price crashing. Meanwhile, chip companies scramble to provide for these 5G tech giants having just lost U.S. suppliers.

On the bright side, President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed on a trade tariff truce. Perhaps, here we have a valentine’s happy ending.

Silver lining: Competition drives innovation. May the best man win.

World Health Assembly

You may have heard China’s 2 trillion donation to the WHO to aid developing countries to fight against the COVID-19 virus.

China’s generosity appears to hold the other countries in a moral armlock. By rightfully bringing the focus onto helping countries fight the virus, China has also shift the attention away from the blame game, effectively silencing angry finger-pointing during the WHO conference.

Happy Valentine’s gift. Smooth one Xi.