Your previous analysis was very thorough. We are looking for this one. This case and its unusual case ruling give all of us in U.S. a good lesion. And I hope He and his legal team take the lessons in plot for the appeal phase.
It appears to me He and his legal team may have spent too much attention to out-of-court activities. This can be a fatal distraction to the team, whose entire attention should be directed to any, including trivial moves in court room. Adding media and public involvement in the case strategy apparently did more harm than good. Proceedings at court room can be very dynamic. Addressing every move properly and promptly can mean win or loss. You never know what the judge is thinking and what his/her intention is. So the best is to implement a trial strategy and listen to every court events carefully. Focus on court activities. It is also regarded as respect to the court.
I doubt if any culture prejudgment was a factor in the ruling. Apparently the defendant did a good job to convince the judge the best interests for the Child is to be with them. To place He Mei with her biological parents cannot be justified in the Judge’s mind to the best interest of the child. As such, his ruling is straight forward.