Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and owner of the social media platform X, has been a significant figure globally, admired for his entrepreneurial spirit and visionary ideas. While his ventures have caught the world's attention, his relationship with China has been particularly noteworthy. Musk's approach to China, characterized by admiration for its workforce and market potential, presents a dynamic interplay between business interests and political sentiments. As Tesla's second-largest market, China holds a critical position in Musk's global strategy, raising questions about how his possible forays into politics might influence his business dealings in the region.
Musk's admiration for Chinese efficiency is well documented. He has praised Chinese workers generously, lauding their ability to produce goods cheaper and better. This favorable stance towards China is reflected in Tesla's performance in the country. Last year, Tesla achieved a record by selling over 657,000 cars in China, marking an 8.8% increase from the previous year. This achievement underscores China's significance as Tesla's second-largest market after the United States.
The intrigue surrounding Musk in China extends beyond his business successes. His visit to the Qimen Hotpot House in Beijing in 2019 has left a lasting impression. The restaurant continues to attract curious fans eager to dine where Musk once ate. To manage this interest, the restaurant installed an introduction of his visit at the entrance last year, relieving staff of constant inquiries about his meal choices.
Liu Jian Ping, a 48-year-old resident of Beijing, exemplifies the fascination with Musk in China. Liu is a dedicated fan who has capitalized on this admiration by creating Musk-related content online, generating millions of yuan annually. Liu compares Musk to Steve Jobs, noting their grand visions and approach to tackling large-scale problems.
"At the time, my first impression was that this person was somewhat similar to Steve Jobs. Both of them, in their approach to business and entrepreneurship, started with a grand vision, a goal that’s larger in scale." – Liu Jian Ping
Liu's business thrives on the demand for Musk-related products and content in China. He highlights a gap in high-quality domestic products compared to international offerings, which provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs like him.
"There is indeed a demand from our users and fans. Some people often ask me why we don’t do this or that – they’re interested in certain things." – Liu Jian Ping
"I feel there’s a lack of high-quality products in this area domestically. While we see some good examples abroad, for the domestic audience, it’s not always convenient." – Liu Jian Ping
Although Musk's ventures have generally been met with enthusiasm in China, his potential involvement in politics elicits mixed responses. Some netizens admire his "progressive" nature and "strong foresight," while others express concern that political engagement could detract from his business focus.
"Getting involved in politics would surely divert his energy and it may not be something he excels at." – Liu Jian Ping
Despite these concerns, many believe Musk remains amicable towards China due to his significant investments.
"After all, he is likely to be very friendly toward China and he has made significant investments there." – A Beijing resident
Musk's companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, continue to navigate political risks effectively. Assistant Professor Dylan Loh from Nanyang Technological University's School of Public Policy and Global Affairs suggests that while no single individual can resolve US-China tensions alone, Musk could serve as a bridge or intermediary between the two nations.
"No one single man can play a singularly decisive role. Having said that, there is certainly, I think, a space for him to play a part – perhaps I’ll say a bridge, a connector, or maybe even an intermediary, private intermediary." – Assistant Professor Dylan Loh
Musk’s ventures extend beyond automobiles and space exploration into various merchandise sold on Chinese online platforms like Xiaohongshu. His Shanghai office reflects his multifaceted interests, decorated with books, SpaceX rocket models, and notable quotes.
Ren Jichao, reflecting on Musk's visit to the Qimen Hotpot House, recalls its viral moment on Chinese social media.
"At that time we didn’t know him, but his fans were also dining with us. They filmed a video and posted it on Weibo. It quickly went viral." – Ren Jichao
Leave a Reply