The original CCTV name encounters a fierce opponent in the form of a determined fighter. Cui Yongyuan and Fang Zhouzi finally come face to face over a genetically modified issue, sparking a public debate that reflects broader concerns about food safety, distrust in authorities, and anxiety over environmental issues.
Liger Fight
When we were kids, we often wondered: Which is more fierce, a tiger or a lion?
The answers we received later were disappointing. Tigers and lions don’t naturally meet in the wild, making it a hypothetical question.
Today, the internet has turned the impossible into reality.
Fang Zhouzi, a self-proclaimed science fighter; Cui Yongyuan, known as “the mouth†on social media. It seems like they’re not fighting over cattle, but instead, it’s like a lion meeting a tiger — the clash between Fang and Cui is a spectacle for internet users, full of energy and controversy.
Both are top-tier in their own ways, yet one appears ridiculous while the other is always furious. North versus South, two different schools, like Guan Gong meeting Qin Qiong — a real showdown.
Their disagreement escalated from simple arguments to questioning each other's family and even uncovering economic issues, eventually leading to a lawsuit in Daxing. This whole incident, though absurd and dark, played out dramatically on Weibo.
The trigger was "genetically modified" — a term that took ten years to move from a technical phrase to a national topic of discussion.
Now, everyone must take a side: either support or oppose, or claim neutrality. But no one can ignore its presence. As the controversy grows, "genetic modification" has become more than just a scientific issue — it's now a cultural and ideological battleground.
The GM debate reflects people's anxieties about food safety, distrust in experts, and fears about the environment.
It reminds me of a quote by Master Zhu Zhanfen: "Science is like a pressure cooker. You become familiar with it under stress."
In the end, the genetically modified issue became a big noise, turning a scientific debate into a national spectacle.
Cui Yongyuan and Fang Zhouzi, two middle-aged men, got involved in a fight over a scientific issue. From heated discussions on Weibo to attacking each other's families and digging into financial matters, the situation escalated to court.
This might sound absurd, but it's all real.
The trigger was "transgenic" — a term that transformed from a scientific jargon into a social buzzword over ten years.
Now, whenever the topic comes up, you have to choose a side: support, oppose, or remain neutral. No one can avoid it.
As the controversy continues, "genetic modification" has shifted from an objective scientific discussion to a matter of personal beliefs, risk perception, and even worldviews.
The GM dispute is just a reflection of deeper societal concerns.
Looking back at history, every major technological advancement brought challenges to society. Electricity, airplanes, vaccines — all faced resistance at first. Society always finds a way to balance efficiency and risk, and technology usually moves forward regardless.
Today, with more people expressing opinions, society has a greater chance to reach collective rationality.
However, if those speaking out lack expertise or are overly emotional, the conversation about technology and progress can turn into a farce.
A single word sparked a war.
Older generations who aren't familiar with the internet may not understand why Cui Yongyuan would get involved in genetic modification. How could he end up in court with someone named Fang Zhouzi?
On January 21, Fang Zhouzi’s lawyer confirmed to a reporter that the Beijing Haidian Court had filed a case. The trial date is pending, and according to his estimate, there will be no trial before the Spring Festival. In his complaint, Fang Zhouzi accused Cui Yongyuan of defaming his reputation through various microblog comments and demanded an apology and 300,000 yuan in compensation for mental damage.
On the day the case was filed, Cui Yongyuan was in Japan investigating genetically modified foods on his own. He wanted to understand how the Japanese view GM and was also working on a documentary.
Prior to December 20, 2013, Cui returned from the U.S., where he had gone to learn how Americans perceive genetic modification and whether they eat it. At the airport press conference, he said he was traveling at his own expense and shared his basic view: "The safety of genetically modified foods is still debated among scientists. Under this premise, ordinary people like me don’t understand the issue. It’s better not to force me to eat it, or at least give me the right to choose. I can eat it or not, and I shouldn’t be deprived of that choice."
Cui’s persistence led him to engage directly with Fang Zhouzi. Both discussed GM on Weibo, and the airport event brought their online feud into the public eye. Due to Cui’s popularity, the GM debate reached a new peak in China.
Once a beloved CCTV host, Cui Yongyuan gained fame in the late 90s through the show “Factual Storytelling.†His honest personality made him trusted by the audience. After leaving the show in 2002, he went through a period of depression. Later, he returned to the public eye by producing documentaries and engaging in social causes.
After 2007, Cui began to focus on social welfare, supporting rural teachers and helping migrant workers. With the rise of social media, his platform shifted from TV to the internet, where he actively used Weibo to maintain influence, becoming a figure with millions of followers.
His involvement in the GM debate started with aå¾®åš post: “You can choose to eat, I can choose not to. You can say you know science, but I have the right to question what you know. Science isn’t just about what you say. You can call me an idiot, and I can say you eat it.â€
This post, released on September 8, 2013, after tasting genetically modified corn, inspired a response from Fang Zhouzi, who stated that although the taste of GM corn has no scientific value, it has scientific significance and should be available daily for people to consume.
This exchange marked the beginning of their public battle, and both continued to argue on social media, escalating the conflict further.
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