Your visa has been reinstated
A Japanese doctorate student at Brigham Young University has had his visa reinstated after it was abruptly revoked earlier this month over an old fishing violation.
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #59
As Beijing deploys AI-driven memes and nationalist messaging to counter U.S. tariffs, Asian students and allies are taking legal action over visa crackdowns. From Taiwan to Las Vegas, trailblazers like Kaitlyn Chen and community leaders behind Filipino Town are breaking new ground. Plus: Chinese factories are gaming TikTok, Japan fires back at Trump, and humanoid robots join the race in Beijing — literally.
Beijing is pummeling the U.S. in the propaganda war over tariffs
AI-generated content portrays Americans as obese and U.S. cities in disrepair
Beijing is stoking nationalist sentiment via a sophisticated propaganda campaign, framing the economic confrontation as a prolonged ideological battle with the U.S. Chinese leaders have taken to state media and online platforms to blame Washington for China’s economic woes while rallying citizens behind the Communist Party’s leadership.
Fighting tariffs with nationalism
China’s state-run media has begun framing the U.S. President Donald Trump’s declared trade war as a test of national resolve. A front-page commentary in the state-run People’s Daily declared that “blanket tariffs by the U.S. will deal us a blow,” China will “turn challenges into opportunities” by trusting in the Party.
Referencing the Korean War, the paper cast the economic standoff as a continuation of a decades-long struggle with the U.S. “The Chinese people neither accept defeat nor fear pressure,” it stated.
China’s economy is already strained by a property market downturn, high public debt and weak consumer confidence. Escalating tariffs have further compounded the pressure. Exports made up about one-third of China’s 5% GDP growth last year, yet China’s share of exports to the U.S. fell to 15% in 2024, down from 19% in 2018.
Global propaganda offensive
Beijing’s messaging war has expanded across platforms — including X, TikTok and Facebook — all of which are banned in China but actively used by Chinese diplomats and propagandists abroad. In recent weeks, China has released AI-generated memes and videos mocking American society, portraying Americans as overweight and U.S. cities as crumbling in contrast to China’s gleaming urban centers.
Chinese state media and influencers have also targeted U.S. officials personally. U.S. Vice President JD Vance was ridiculed in TikTok parodies for his remarks that the U.S. borrows money from “Chinese peasants” to buy goods made by them. Chinese officials responded with memes calling Vance a “hillbilly.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has also been targeted, with a Chinese diplomat pointing out her outfits allegedly purchased from Chinese e-commerce sites.
Beijing's latest propaganda push has evolved beyond its previous “wolf warrior” diplomacy. Analysts say China’s messaging is now more calculated and tailored. State outlets have even resurfaced clips of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan criticizing trade protectionism. “If our trading partners can’t sell their products here, they can’t afford to buy our exports,” Reagan said — a quote repurposed to suggest that Trump’s policies hurt Americans.
Battle for global public opinion
China’s propaganda campaign aims to present itself as a stable global economic partner in contrast to the U.S., which it portrays as unpredictable. During a recent tour of Southeast Asia, Xi Jinping emphasized China’s commitment to multilateralism.
“With China here, the sky won’t fall,” one viral video narrated in English declared, juxtaposing American protest footage with stock market crashes.
Chinese factories have flooded TikTok with “luxury” goods. Should you buy them?
Chinese suppliers are taking over U.S. social media with videos promoting direct sales of alleged luxury products as a strategy to circumvent President Donald Trump’s steep 145% tariffs on Chinese imports.
How it’s looking
Videos featuring Chinese manufacturers claiming to produce goods for luxury brands have gone viral on TikTok. For one, an account called @lunasourcingchina claimed consumers could purchase Lululemon-quality leggings for just $5 directly from factories in Yiwu, China, asserting they “come from the same production line” as the $100 retail versions. A now-defunct account called @senbags2 also stood before what appeared to be Hermes bags, claiming to be an original equipment manufacturer for luxury brands while urging Americans to “buy from us” at drastically reduced prices.
The viral content has sparked significant consumer interest, with Chinese wholesale platform DHgate shooting to No. 2 and Taobao reaching No. 7 in the U.S. Apple App Store. The surge also comes as the U.S. plans to eliminate the “de minimis” exemption that currently allows packages valued under $800 to enter without taxes.
Brands respond
Brands mentioned in the videos have firmly refuted such claims. For one, Lululemon said it “does not work with the manufacturers identified in the online videos” and warned consumers about counterfeit products. Birkenstock confirmed all their footwear is manufactured in the European Union, primarily Germany, and called the factory shown in videos “clearly NOT ours.”
Meanwhile, Hermes, whose coveted Birkin bags were prominently featured in several videos, is facing separate challenges with slowing Chinese demand and has announced price increases in the U.S. starting May 1 to offset Trump’s tariffs.
Should you buy them?
The viral phenomenon highlights U.S. consumers’ dependence on Chinese manufacturing amid growing concerns about price increases. However, experts caution consumers against rushing to buy these alleged luxury goods. For starters, such direct purchases offer no warranties, returns or quality assurance. Additionally, consumers cannot be certain they will even avoid Trump’s tariffs as the de minimis loophole closes.
Industry experts note that legitimate luxury manufacturers are bound by strict contractual agreements that prevent them from selling directly to consumers, making the claims in these viral videos highly questionable.
Meanwhile, TikTok itself faces an uncertain future as its Beijing-based parent company, Bytedance, approaches a June 15 deadline to divest ownership or face a U.S. ban.
Japanese lawmaker compares Trump to “delinquent kid” over tariffs
“I hope that you will never give in to the American extortionists,” Shinji Oguma told Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya
A Japanese opposition lawmaker has reportedly compared President Donald Trump to a “delinquent kid extorting somebody” amid tense trade negotiations between the U.S. and Japan over sweeping American tariffs.
“American extortionists”
Shinji Oguma of the Constitutional Democratic Party lambasted Trump’s approach to trade negotiations in a parliamentary committee hearing Friday, two days after Japan and the U.S. launched tariff talks in Washington. “If Japan listens to this and bends the other way in response to the impossible demands of bargaining and deals, it will set a bad example as a customary and historical precedent,” Oguma, as per a translation, warned Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. He cautioned that concessions would mean “if you get mugged and put money in their hands, they will come back to mug us.”
Calling Trump’s tariff formula “a mess,” Oguma questioned whether it was “safe for a serious person to go there” and negotiate with the U.S. “Consider every option, but you should never make concessions to someone who is not straight up anyway,” he added. “I hope that you will never give in to the American extortionists. I know this is harsh to say, but they are extortionists.”
Dealing with U.S. tariffs
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has taken a measured approach to negotiations, warning after the initial talks that reaching an agreement could be difficult. “Of course, the negotiations will not be easy going forward, but President Trump has stated that he wants to give top priority to the talks with Japan,” Ishiba said Wednesday following the first round of discussions, which Trump attended alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The U.S. has imposed a 10% baseline tariff on all Japanese imports, plus 25% taxes on cars, auto parts, steel and aluminum. While Trump has paused broader 24% tariffs for 90 days, Japan is considering significant concessions. Local reports say Tokyo may increase soybean and rice imports and relax automobile safety standards — specifically crash test requirements that the U.S. considers a nontariff barrier — as potential bargaining chips.
The big picture
Japan posted a $63 billion trade surplus with the U.S. last fiscal year, despite running an overall global deficit of $36.5 billion. Trump has prioritized eliminating this imbalance, specifically targeting what he claims are 700% tariffs on rice imports and demanding increased U.S. agricultural and auto exports. The White House displayed a 400-page Office of the U.S. Trade Representative report detailing these alleged market barriers during Wednesday’s talks.
Japan’s cautious approach suggests extended negotiations ahead, with Ishiba vowing to “take the necessary time to create a model for the world.” Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato is expected to meet Bessent on Thursday for further discussions on trade and possible currency issues.
Japanese Ph.D. student sees visa reinstated minutes after he sues
A Japanese doctorate student at Brigham Young University has had his visa reinstated after it was abruptly revoked earlier this month over an old fishing violation.
About the student: Suguru Onda, a computer science Ph.D. candidate in his sixth year at BYU with one year remaining, is married with five children, two of whom were born in the U.S. His research focuses on AI and technology development. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Onda’s only prior legal issues were two speeding tickets and a 2019 fishing citation for exceeding his license limit during a church activity.
Visa reinstated
Onda received notice earlier this month that his I-20 visa was revoked, citing “individual identified in criminal records check.” Given 15 days to leave or face deportation, Onda and immigration attorney Adam Crayk filed a federal lawsuit Friday morning. Minutes later, BYU received government confirmation that Onda’s visa status was fully reinstated.
Crayk believes AI technology used to screen visa holders had flagged Onda’s dismissed fishing citation as criminal activity without human verification. Onda, however, does not blame AI for making mistakes, saying “they just need to fix it.”
Onda’s case is among dozens of international students in Utah — and more nationwide — facing recent visa revocations. Gov. Spencer Cox has requested clarification from the Trump administration about the criteria for these actions.
Influencer Tiffany Fong denies leaking story alleging Musk asked her to have his baby
Cryptocurrency influencer Tiffany Fong, 31, has publicly denied sharing information about Elon Musk allegedly asking her to have his child, a claim that emerged in a recent Wall Street Journal expose about the billionaire’s relationships.
Driving the news
Fong, who shot to fame while covering Sam Bankman-Fried’s cryptocurrency trial, allegedly declined Musk’s proposition but confided in friends about whether rejecting him would affect her social media earnings, according to the report. Those supposed friends included Ashley St. Clair, who reportedly shares a 7-month-old son named Romulus with Musk.
The expose noted that it all started when Fong and Musk began interacting on X, which significantly boosted Fong’s earnings. She reportedly made $21,000 in just a two-week period in November after Musk started liking and replying to her posts, particularly those supporting Donald Trump. But when Fong allegedly declined Musk’s proposition and confided in friends about it, Musk reportedly unfollowed her, causing her engagement and earnings to decline substantially.
What she’s saying
Fong firmly denied sharing information with media outlets regarding the allegations. “For the record, I did not feed this story to WSJ (or any other outlet) and explicitly asked NOT to be included when I was contacted for comment,” she wrote in an X post on Thursday. She also emphasized her desire for privacy, noting, “If you’re waiting for me to comment publicly, it’s not going to happen.”
This is not the first time Fong has addressed rumors about her relationship with Musk. In February, she posted on Instagram, “Insane that I need to announce I am NOT pregnant,” with a caption reading “We live in a clown world.”
The controversy comes amid broader reporting about Musk’s alleged “baby-making project” and his relationships with multiple women who have borne his children.
Las Vegas area welcomes its first Filipino Town
After years of community efforts, commissioners in Nevada’s Clark County unanimously voted to establish the Las Vegas area’s first Filipino cultural district along Maryland Parkway, recognizing the contributions of Southern Nevada’s approximately 200,000 Filipino residents.
Long road to recognition
Rozita Lee, who moved to Las Vegas in 1979, has advocated for Filipino Town while watching the region’s population grow from 325,000 to more than 2 million, with an estimated 200,000 Filipinos by 2025. “We are the largest of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders here,” Lee told KLAS.
Lee plans to open a Filipino cultural museum at Boulevard Mall, where management offered to donate space. The museum will feature artifacts collected by Edna Narrido-Luer, who began collecting as a teenager.
Approval at last
On April 15, Clark County Commission chambers filled with cheering supporters waving U.S. and Philippine flags after commissioners voted unanimously to establish Filipino Town. “We will continue to work together to make this Filipino Town...the best ever in this nation,” Lee said while reading the official declaration. Meanwhile, Commission Chair Tick Segerblom thanked supporters for their “patience and persistence.”
Why this matters
Filipino Americans are the largest Asian American group in Nevada and the second-largest nationally. The cultural corridor, which stretches from Flamingo Road to Desert Inn Road along Maryland Parkway, includes anchor businesses like Seafood City and creates a permanent space for Southern Nevada’s Filipino population.
The commission is planning inaugural celebrations, with Segerblom promising “big parties” when signage is installed. The proposed museum will display objects dating back thousands of years, including rice gods from Ifugao and religious relics, establishing what Lee calls Nevada’s “first Filipino museum.”
Asian food vendors banned from Fresno farmers market reinstated after backlash
River Park shopping center in Fresno, California, announced Friday that Asian food vendors will be welcomed back to its popular farmers market and food truck events, reversing a controversial decision that banned them earlier this month. The reversal follows mounting public criticism, protests from vendors and widespread calls for accountability from Fresno’s Asian community.
Ban sparks outrage
The controversy began last weekend when several Asian food vendors received a sudden notice from a Fresno Street Eats organizer that they were no longer permitted to participate in River Park events. The reason, they were told, was due to complaints from onsite businesses prompting River Park to eliminate “all Asian food from our events effective immediately.”
River Park later justified the decision by citing its responsibility to “honor” commitments to its brick-and-mortar tenants and reduce direct competition. But that explanation quickly drew fire. Only one of River Park’s tenants — P.F. Chang’s — offers a similar cuisine to the food trucks, while other Asian restaurants on-site, such as Spicy J’s and J-Pot, publicly denied filing complaints.
The ban led to community outrage, with critics calling the move discriminatory. Three Filipino-owned businesses publicly called for an apology, transparency, and an open dialogue. The Filipina-owned community space Maarte stated the decision was “disrespectful,” while Hapa California Coffee commented directly on River Park’s social media: “Why is it so hard to say you’re sorry to the people you actually hurt?? ASIANS!!!”
Vendors welcomed back
In a joint statement Friday, River Park, Fresno Street Eats and the California Fresh Farmers Market Association walked back the ban and announced a plan to review all vendors through a new selection process. “This is the next step in a truly collaborative process between our organizations with the aim of showcasing small mobile businesses… which complement River Park’s brick-and-mortar tenants,” the statement read.
While River Park’s statement included an apology for “communication missteps” and acknowledged the community’s frustrations, many found the language insufficient or insincere. Christine Rose, founder of Maarte, said the apology lacked sincerity and cultural awareness. “There was no acknowledgement of the willingness to learn more about the cultures we represent,” she said on social media. “Until it feels right and sincere, my energy will be spent on developing ways to support my community.”
Some vendors — including those who were not directly affected — have chosen not to return to River Park in protest of how the situation was handled.
Kaitlyn Chen is the 1st Taiwanese American drafted to WNBA
Kaitlyn Chen attended the 2025 WNBA Draft on April 14 simply to cheer on her University of Connecticut teammate Paige Bueckers. Instead, the senior guard found herself making history, becoming the first Taiwanese American ever drafted into the WNBA after being selected 30th overall in the third round by the Golden State Valkyries.
A historic surprise
Chen later told reporters that the selection stunned even her: “I was really just here to watch Paige get drafted and I’m so happy for her, but it’s been an unreal night.” The moment, captured on phones held by her anticipating teammates, drew one of the loudest cheers of the night. “To be able to experience that with my team all around me and them all jumping and screaming was pretty amazing,” she added.
Ivy League star
Born and raised in San Marino, California, Chen began her collegiate career at Princeton, where she earned Ivy League Player of the Year honors and multiple all-conference accolades. After transferring to UConn for her final year of eligibility, she started 40 games, averaging 6.9 points per game and helping lead the Huskies to their 12th national championship.
Milestone for representation
Chen's selection is a landmark moment for Asian American representation in professional women’s basketball. In 2024, Asian Americans made up just 1.3% of female college basketball players. With her draft, Chen joins head coach Natalie Nakase — the first Asian American head coach in WNBA history — on the WNBA’s first expansion team since 2008 into its inaugural season.
The Golden State Valkyries, based in San Francisco and set to debut on May 16 at Chase Center. Nakase emphasized the team’s long-term vision: “I’m living proof that when you work really, really hard and you stay focused on your goal, that big dreams do come true.”
The Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto is already making MLB history after 5 starts
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Los Angeles Dodgers' high-profile acquisition, has delivered a historic performance in the early stages of the 2025 MLB season. The Japanese right-hander, who inked a 12-year, $325 million contract in December 2023 — the largest ever for a pitcher at the time — has posted a 0.93 ERA over his first five starts, allowing just 18 hits and four runs in 29 innings, while striking out 38 batters and issuing only seven walks. His latest outing on April 18 against the Texas Rangers featured seven scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks.
Yamamoto is the first pitcher in the modern era (since 1901) to record 35 or more strikeouts, a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.00 or better, fewer than 20 hits allowed and fewer than five runs allowed over his first five starts of a season. This unprecedented achievement has positioned him as a leading contender for the 2025 National League Cy Young Award, which honors the league's best pitcher each season.
Humanoid robots raced against human runners in Beijing half-marathon
Twenty-one humanoid robots joined human runners in the Yizhuang half-marathon in Beijing, marking the first time machines have raced the full 13-mile course. Developed by Chinese firms like DroidUP and Noetix Robotics, the robots varied in size and design — some short and stocky, others human-sized with facial expressions.
Mixed results: While Tiangong Ultra, a sleek machine developed by the Beijing Innovation Center of Human Robotics, completed the course in 2 hours and 40 minutes, other entrants fared less gracefully. One robot collapsed at the starting line, while another veered into a railing within seconds.
Milestone for Chinese robotics: Tiangong Ultra’s development team pointed to its optimized gait algorithm and long-legged build as keys to its performance. “I don't want to boast but I think no other robotics firms in the West have matched Tiangong's sporting achievements,” said Tang Jian, the center’s chief technology officer.