Shocking Insight: Chen Zhen’s Post Questions Xiaomi’s Donation Motive in Hong Kong Relief Efforts

On November 28, news broke that renowned auto reviewer Chen Zhen once again found himself trending for all the wrong reasons.

Yes—he’s back in the spotlight, and once again, it’s tied to Xiaomi.

On November 26, a tragic fire struck several residential buildings at Hong Fuk Court in Tai Po District, Hong Kong, resulting in severe casualties and deep emotional impact across society.

The following morning, on November 27, Xiaomi’s official philanthropy channel announced that the Xiaomi Foundation in Hong Kong was donating HKD 10 million in emergency aid to assist with medical care, temporary housing, and transitional support for affected residents. Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun also posted a message expressing hope that those affected would recover and rebuild quickly.

Following the tragedy, numerous companies stepped forward with donations, relief materials, and assistance channels—an admirable display of corporate social responsibility. A moment that should have been defined by positivity and altruism.

However, on November 27, Chen Zhen posted a remark online referencing Xiaomi’s donation, stating:
“Whatever the reason behind it, this move shouldn’t be criticized — thumbs up.”

While this may seem harmless at first glance, the phrasing “whatever the reason behind it” and “shouldn’t be criticized” carries a dismissive and passive-aggressive undertone. In times of disaster, when companies lend support, why imply mixed motives?

Within hours, his comment ignited the internet and shot up the trending charts.

From my perspective, a donation of this magnitude is a tangible act of goodwill. And when human suffering is involved, turning it into engagement bait or fuel for innuendo is simply inappropriate.

Likely sensing the backlash, Chen Zhen later issued an apology and attempted to clarify: according to him, Xiaomi still has unresolved issues related to “contractual ethics,” making such a generous donation somewhat “confusing,” but he maintains the deed itself deserves recognition.

Scrolling through the comments, it’s clear many people weren’t persuaded. Legal disputes and philanthropy are two entirely separate matters. Furthermore, Xiaomi has repeatedly donated to disaster-stricken regions in the past:

• July 2025 Northern China flooding: RMB 5 million + RMB 350,000 in emergency supplies
• 2023 Beijing–Hebei rainstorm: RMB 25 million
• 2023 Gansu earthquake: RMB 5 million for reconstruction efforts

Each donation was publicly documented and officially registered.

Frankly, philanthropy should never be twisted into moral warfare. Xiaomi’s consistent history of rapid response in crises deserves acknowledgment.

What’s more interesting is that Chen Zhen was once a loyal Xiaomi fan—he frequently recommended their products and openly referred to himself as a devoted user. Yet in recent years, he has repeatedly targeted Xiaomi, particularly Xiaomi Auto, amplifying negative narratives and posting pointed commentary. His transformation from “brand supporter” to “brand critic” has been noticeable.

What happened? Most likely, it’s about engagement and reach. Attacking Xiaomi generates traffic—and traffic fuels influence. But even so, exploiting disaster-related donations for snark and insinuation is a poor look.

Using ironic commentary to grab attention may drive clicks, but in this case, the backlash was justified. And as many online observers have noted, this cycle tends to repeat: provoke → trend → apologize → repeat.

Ultimately, using human tragedy for rhetorical games is a breach of decency. And when influential figures behave this way, they absolutely deserve to be called out.

So, here’s the question:
Do you think Chen Zhen’s remarks questioning Xiaomi’s donation motives deserve criticism?
Share your view in the comments — let’s talk about it.