A Chinese feminist analysis of Chinese social media responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Figures & data

Figure 1. A VOA journalist’s tweet exposing Chinese social media users’ sexualization of Ukrainian women.

Translation:¹

User 1: The Ukrainian situation is alarming, but so many people do not care about it at all. This is very disappointing! I would like to use my limited capacity to shelter 2–3 Ukrainian girls, who are between 18 and 25 years old and at least 160 [cm] tall. American imperialists are apathetic, but I am empathic and would like to help as much as I could. World peace #Ukraine

User 2: Accepting heartbroken Ukrainian homeless girls. Food and shelter are provided, and the more the better. Nothing much, [I] just care so much about world affairs.

User 3: #FocusingonthelatestdevelopmentsintheRusso-Ukrainiansituation Accepting Ukrainian single women between 18 and 26 years old.

User 4: Waiting online for heartbroken Ukrainian girls. Most welcome if she is between 18 and 25 years old, 165–175 [cm] tall, has no obvious body odor, and has a good body shape.

User 5: #FocusingonthelatestdevelopmentsintheRusso-Ukrainiansituation Accepting homeless Ukrainian friends, and ladies are first to serve.

Figure 2. A male Chinese digital influencer talking about his encounters with Ukrainian women.

Translation:

Fighting has broken out in Ukraine. While worrying for their people, [I] cannot help thinking of something I came across over ten years ago. Back then, I was a teacher at a Shijiazhuang-based military training university. One night, we went out together to celebrate a colleague’s promotion to headquarters. We were unsatisfied with the wine session, so booked a table at the front of a casino club next to our hotel to watch shows. The shows were great and were performed by foreign actresses, who were all blondies with blue eyes. They particularly impressed us with their white, long legs … These Ukrainian girls started traveling around the world for a modest wage about ten years ago. In recent years, [I] heard a lot of stories about Chinese losers moving to Ukraine and marrying white beauties there. The saddest thing is that Ukraine is no longer “womb of Europe” but “womb of the world” … Your people will suffer if you cannot run your country, and that is why I sympathize with Ukrainian women.

Figure 3. Two Weibo users calling Putin a “real tough guy.”

Translation of the first post by a male Weibo user:

#PutinsaysRussianscannotlivewithhumiliationanymore Well said, Putin! You are a real tough guy because you dare to fight against America!

Translation of the second post by a female Weibo user:

#PutinsaysRussianscannotlivewithhumiliationanymore This real tough guy is a badass!

Figure 4. A male Weibo user suggesting that Putin is a “real tough guy,” and that China has one too.

Translation:

#TheentirecontentofPutin’s10,000-wordspeech I always support Putin! This is a real man with sophisticated thought, futuristic vision, and personal charisma! [I] feel so excited when reflecting on China’s situation. Is it not the same for China? When did those hegemonic [Western] nations respect us and treat us equally? If there must be a way, I hope it will eliminate all the bad guys and the hegemony they represent. Only this could bring peace on earth.

Figure 5. A colloquial interpretation of the Russo-Ukrainian crisis widespread on Weibo.

Translation:

Over 20 years ago, Ukraine divorced her ex-husband (Russia) and obtained custody of their children. Her ex-husband treated her well and paid off her debt worth 200 billion! After divorcing her ex-husband, she starts flirting with the big bully in the village (America) and winking her eyes at a bunch of playboys ([other] Western nations). She completely listens to the bully and the playboys and starts abusing her ex-husband together with them … Now the ex-husband is no longer letting it go and starts striking back.

Figure 6. A Weibo post by a male professor “celebrating” International Women’s Day.

Translation:

The charm of International Women’s Day: three times eight equals 24. Happy in all 24 solar terms!³ Putin’s wishes on March 8 are very special [web link]!

Figure 7. A female Chinese social media user calling for a distinction to be made between Chinese women and Chinese men.

Translation:

You must consider Chinese women and men as separate groups when trying to understand them. I am sorry for those Ukrainian women insulted by them [Chinese men].

Figure 8. A male Chinese social media user praising Zelensky on Twitter.

Translation:

Zelensky once played a president role in a comedy. His performance was outstanding, making the show a great success. He was then elected to be President [of Ukraine] and now plays the role of a wartime president. His facial expression, his body language, and the way in which he projects his voice are all perfect. Now, he is not only a legend but also one of the greatest politicians of the twenty-first century!

Figure 9. A female Twitter user calling Zelensky the most handsome man of 2022.

Translation:

Ukrainian president Zelensky is fighting to protect his nation. He called all EU member states and has now beaten Putin the Emperor into Putin the Stupid. He is the most handsome man of 2022. There is no second person who deserves this title. Any rebuttal is not accepted.

Figure 10. A male Chinese social media user challenging Xi Jinping’s manhood.

Translation:

This is an ultimatum to Xi Jinping. Xi Jinping the Pig Head, you now have to do something about it. You cannot hide anymore and must say it out loud if you support Putin the war criminal. Please be a man!

Figure 11. An image juxtaposing Winnie the Pooh and Xi Jinping (Haas 2018).

Haas, Benjamin. 2018. “China Bans Winnie the Pooh Film after Comparisons to President Xi.” Guardian, August 7. Accessed May 17, 2022. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/07/china-bans-winnie-the-pooh-film-to-stop-comparisons-to-president-xi.

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