Commentary: ‘Let's go, mantis shrimp’, younger generation Chinese turned to internet meme to welcome China’s first home-built aircraft carrier

China's first home-built aircraft carrier (file photo)

China launches its first home-built aircraft carrier last week. Besides massive media coverage, enthusiastic netizens also called for an online poll for this unnamed vessel, which saw "Mantis Shrimp", "Shandong", and "Liuhuaqing" topping the list. The bizarre name "Mantis Shrimp" received over 1.26 million votes online. China’s Ministry of National Defense later denounced that the aircraft carrier would be named after the mantis shrimp, an animal widely ridiculed by Chinese internet users into memes for its bizarre appearance.

You might wonder what is the "mantis shrimp" at this point. It's a popular seafood in China, which recently became a new buzz for netizens to express themselves. More often than not, the meme is used with the phrase "let's go, mantis shrimp". The meme of a man riding a mantis shrimp has become one of the most popular photos used on Chinese social media in 2017.

"Let's go, mantis shrimp" (file photo)

The number of Chinese netizens has exceeded the total population of Europe. Buzzwords like "Mantis Shrimp" are younger generation’s new approach to interact online and show their passion for national affairs. The official reply for this passion from the Chinese Ministry of National Defense has also bridged the gap between serious military affairs and internet buzz.

(This commentary is from the editorial board of the People's Daily)