GREE(SZ:000651) Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-05-05 14:26Core Viewpoint - The controversy surrounding Dong Mingzhu's comments on "returnees" being potentially untrustworthy has sparked significant backlash from the overseas Chinese community and legal experts, highlighting a clash between local and overseas talent perspectives in the context of globalization [3][14][30]. Group 1: Incident Background - Dong Mingzhu made a statement during an internal meeting at Gree, suggesting that returnees could be spies, which quickly drew public outrage as it undermined the contributions of this group to China's modernization [3][5]. - The backlash was swift, with organizations like the Shanxi Returned Overseas Chinese Association demanding an apology and correction from Dong Mingzhu, emphasizing that talent should not be discriminated against based on their background [5][10]. Group 2: Public Reaction - Legal experts have pointed out that Dong's comments may violate employment laws that prohibit discrimination based on nationality or ethnicity, suggesting that the Overseas Chinese Association should take legal action [10][12]. - Influencers and netizens have rallied against Gree, sharing their experiences and achievements to counter the "spy" narrative, with calls for a boycott of Gree products gaining traction [12][14]. Group 3: Talent Strategy Implications - Gree's talent strategy, which heavily favors domestic talent while rejecting overseas returnees, is seen as a significant deviation from global trends where companies like Lenovo and Huawei actively recruit international talent [19][30]. - The company's low overseas revenue share, consistently below 20%, is attributed to this restrictive talent strategy, contrasting sharply with competitors like Midea and Haier, which have over 40% of their revenue from international markets [19][30]. Group 4: Leadership and Governance Concerns - The concentration of power in Dong Mingzhu's hands has raised concerns about Gree's succession planning and the potential chaos that could ensue in the absence of her leadership [21][32]. - The need for a more balanced governance structure is emphasized, as reliance on a single leader could jeopardize the company's future, especially in a globalized market [32][34]. Group 5: Future Directions - The incident serves as a wake-up call for Gree to reassess its talent acquisition strategy, balancing local development with the inclusion of international talent to enhance its global competitiveness [30][34]. - Moving forward, Gree must cultivate an inclusive corporate culture that respects diverse backgrounds and experiences to thrive in the global marketplace [34].