Xi Refuses Mark Zuckerberg's Baby Naming Request

Bloomberg OriginalsCited 4× on HN, 2021–2025

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news · general · 2021–2025 on HN

A one-minute Bloomberg report that Chinese President Xi Jinping declined to give Mark Zuckerberg's unborn child an honorary Chinese name. Emily Chang reports it on Bloomberg West.

Cited mostly critically as evidence of Zuckerberg courting the Chinese government.

4 comments from Hacker News

@rchaud2025-01 · in “TikTok says it is restoring service for U.S. users”

Zuckerberg already tried in 2015, went on a tour, gave obsequious speeches, spoke in Mandarin and asked Xi to give his unborn child an honorary Chinese name. Refused on both occasions. ▶ this video

Critical View on HN

@slowmotiony2023-11 · in “US business elite welcomes Xi Jinping with standing ovation”

I must correct myself, apparently he didn't write him a letter but rather actually asked him in person with other people present in the room. Independent: link Bloomberg clip: ▶ this video

Cites View on HN

@DiogenesKynikos2023-10 · in “RISC-V chip technology emerges as new battleground in US-China tech war”

Watching that clip, it is hilarious how Zuckerberg has pivoted over the years. In 2015, when Zuckerberg still had hope that Facebook would be allowed to operate in China, Zuckerberg asked Xi Jinping to name his baby.[0] Xi, probably taken aback by the sheer level of sycophancy, turned Zuckerberg down: "Too much responsibility." Now, Zuckerberg has gone entirely the opposite direction, denouncing the Chinese government, pushing for a TikTok ban, and so on. 0. ▶ this video

Critical View on HN

@908B64B1972021-05 · in “Facebook should never have stifled the debate about Covid’s origins”

Could Facebook benefit from helping the Chinese regime save face? [0] Seems their founder has some double allegiances and a financial incentive to please the regime. [0] ▶ this video

Critical View on HN