[backupcavalry]

Am I being overly cynical or is this only noteworthy because of how blatant and incompetent the execution is? I figured every major figure on trial does the whole fake protest thing anyway. Not that that makes it right or proper.

[EliRivers]

In my similarly massively distorted worldview, major figures currently don't do the fake protest thing at their trials - that's too easily proved to be fake in a country like Canada with feral journalists and an unrestricted internet. They're got much better things to spend their money on in order to get the result they want.

I wonder, though, if this tactic is much more effective in China; if so, is this actually a far more interesting case of cultural clash, in which someone used to doing this in China (be it with signs, or simply being able to turn out crowds of loyal employees / local cadre / etc ) has brought the same tactics to a different game?

[cltsang]

In China, you see foreign people on billboards and TV ads all the time, especially ads of luxury products. Chinese people, deep down, don't really trust Chinese.

Having foreign people to side with Ms. Meng is a tactic to buy credibility to make her look innocent and just. The nature is no different than other white monkey jobs (I don't have any racist intention) in China.

[LorenPechtel]

Yup. We have relatives over there and any extra luggage space is filled with routine things because they trust the stuff bought in the US a lot more than the stuff bought there. We even just got a request from her sister for genuine Apple batteries for a couple of her devices. (Not possible, they're only sold with installation.)

[EliRivers]

Ah, so is the target audience in this case not Canada; not the Canadian justice system; but Chinese people in China who will see this on the news?

[blaser-waffle]

For sure, but also keep in mind there is a huge Chinese ex-pat community in Vancouver and Toronto. Richmond, BC isn't a Chinatown, it's basically a China-city. Fun place, actually -- the Aberdeen Mall is great.

Point is, selling it hard internationally is a thing, but there are local demographics that this will play to as well.

[TheOperator]

Yeah so long as the revelations of the paid protesters don't hit the Chinese language newspapers in China than mission accomplished I guess.

[cltsang]

Yes I think so.

[duxup]

There were some good stories about US folks living in China who made some good side money putting on a suit and being paid to show up at ribbon cuttings and other visible PR events. Often they weren't identified in any way.

The idea was just having what appeared to be a connection to the west would imply legitimate business connections and thus good prospects.

[kube-system]

I would guess that many major figures in their own jurisdictions of fame could probably find enough organic support, given some strategic organization.

[lainga]

Incompetent but revealing and modern. The gig economy! For protests!

[blaser-waffle]

I'd fund it

[ryanlol]

> I figured every major figure on trial does the whole fake protest thing anyway.

You really need to share some examples with us.

[backupcavalry]

I'm going to admit that was more out of incredible cynicism rather than actual knowledge - you can already hire PR firms to campaign for you in various ways, so a protest outside the courts might just be a value-added service.