Chinese people are used to the news of wealthy people and celebrities immigrating overseas for the better living environment and a more promising future for their children. However, when Ni Ping (倪萍), a renowned China Central Television (CCTV) host said on February 12 that she planned to move to Vancouver in the future, the Chinese patriots felt betrayed and heartbroken.
Ni became well known in China in the early 1990s when she began to host CCTV’s annual New Year’s Gala (春晚), of which she served as a host for 13 times. She left her position in 2004 but returned to CCTV in 2014 to host the charity program.
What’s more, she is also a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a political advisory body in China where party members can vote on policy proposals. She claimed she had never voted “no” or refrained from voting because as she said, “I love my country and I don’t cause any trouble.” In July 2011, Ni won the “Backbone of the Republic” award to honor her bringing glory to the Party, yet the award was mocked by Chinese netizens for its lack of authority.
Ni shared her plan of immigration with the press at her first oversea painting and calligraphy exhibition in Vancouver, where Chinese immigrates account for nearly half of the population. Chinese media have reported the popularity of her exhibition, but most of them concealed her statement of leaving the country.
Still the news spread quickly on Chinese social media. Thousands of netizens went online to vent their anger and voice their disappointment, questioning how such a backbone of the Communist Party could leave China for a “western enemy”.
On Sina Weibo, China’s top micro blogging platform, some netizens pointed out that her behavior was unworthy of the role as the Party’s backbone. One netizen wrote, “There is nothing to be said against ordinary people immigrating to another country. But you are a firm patriot, a glory of the people’s congress, a celebrity full of positive energies, and a mouthpiece of the Party – how could you send your son to the US and say you are going to move to a western country that is against China?”
Yet, some other users on Weibo considered Ni’s decision as a personal choice which had nothing to do with patriotism. A user nicknamed “Nunu” commented, “I think anyone would want to live in a country where one doesn’t need to worry about food safety and polluted air. It’s not about whether you love your country or not, rather, it’s a need of living.”
User “Daisy” suggested Ni shouldn’t even apologize on Weibo. “It’s your freedom and right to choose where to live. You should ignore the noises and disturbances on the internet,” she said. “All these past awards and titles from the Party shouldn’t shackle you as a chain.”
After being attacked by the netizens, Ni posted on Weibo to apologize. She wrote, “I said how I liked the rainy weather in Vancouver and I would move there in the future. I didn’t think this would cause so much criticism from the netizens. I am sorry. I have carried my joke too far!” She then added a picture of her Chinese passport to demonstrate her patriotism with the words “My motherland and me.”
