Beijing is once again voicing its customary critiques of the United States, yet it refrains from launching personal attacks on the president. They are keen to avoid provoking Trump, as he holds significant value for China at this juncture.
The assaults by the Americans on the Ukrainian president offer ample fodder for the propaganda machinery in Beijing. The occurrence at the White House indicates that “the USA cannot be trusted,” as reported by China’s foreign broadcaster CGTN. Taiwan ought to come to this understanding as well. Furthermore, one ought to ponder, “Where exactly is Europe?” What is the current status of NATO? It has become evident to all that “NATO does not embody the diligent Europeans, but rather functions as a military satellite organisation through which America exerts its influence.” As anticipated, China’s state-run broadcaster seized the opportunity presented by the situation.
However, it appears that Donald Trump is not facing personal attacks. The Foreign Ministry in Beijing opted to refrain from commenting on the exchange of barbs between Volodymyr Zelenskyj and Trump on Monday. A representative reiterated the standard line that China bears no responsibility for the conflict and remains neutral, asserting that it “supports all peace efforts.”
However, the People’s Republic is maintaining a rather discreet stance. Beijing appears keen to avoid ruffling the feathers of the American president, who has, up to this point, adopted a rather restrained approach towards China. Moreover, Trump’s position on Ukraine aligns closely with Beijing’s perspective, suggesting that NATO’s eastward expansion bears some responsibility for the conflict. It is worth noting that Washington has recently been backing China’s ally in Moscow, thereby creating a rift between Europe and the USA—a goal that has long been pursued by the Chinese.
A brief easing appears to be on the horizon
Conversely, Beijing harbours concerns about potential retribution from the individual occupying the White House and remains optimistic about reaching an agreement. “China is far more adept this time at navigating the complexities of dealing with Trump and will be significantly more equipped to handle his transactional approach,” remarked the influential former editor-in-chief Wang Xiangwei of the “South China Morning Post” in an article published on Monday. “Wang emphasised that the clash between the two nations is set to persist in the years ahead.” “Currently, we are witnessing a period of relative tranquilly, with both parties anticipating the opportunity to engage in discussions.”
It appears quite plausible that we may witness a brief thaw in relations between America and China. Beijing seems to view the thawing of relations between the USA and Russia as potentially detrimental to the People’s Republic. However, various observers suggest that the level of concern regarding this matter is likely quite restrained. Following a recent telephone conversation between the head of state and party leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Chinese side asserted that the relationship between China and Russia would remain “unaffected by a third party.” The Russian authorities asserted that their ties with Beijing “are impervious to external influence.” As is frequently observed, Beijing is maintaining its flexibility while remaining discreet.
China expresses optimism regarding a potential agreement with Trump
Beijing is presently adopting a more measured approach towards Trump. Ren Yi, the notable grandson of the former party leader of Guangdong Province, has recently shared directives online: Selenskyj has disregarded Trump’s “America First” priorities, Ren conveyed to his over two million followers on the Chinese Internet. He remarked with a touch of irony: “The paramount challenge ahead is to discover how to appease Emperor Trump.” What steps can one take to appease Emperor Trump? What strategies can be employed to alleviate the uncertainties expressed by Emperor Trump? Beijing had its eyes firmly fixed on the proceedings during Trump’s inauguration, marking a notable moment as the Chinese dispatched a vice president to the ceremony in Washington for the very first time.
Trump, conversely, has recently expressed admiration for Xi, stating, “I like President Xi very much.” “I have always liked him,” Trump remarked a few weeks back, expressing his anticipation for “getting along with China.” The phrasing closely mirrored Xi’s earlier official statements, emphasising the necessity for China and the USA to discover a means to “get along with each other.”
A considerable number of individuals regard the speculation surrounding a potential “deal” between Trump and Beijing as rather hasty and lacking in realism. However, the Chinese would likely be quite content with an agreement. In the wake of Trump’s election triumph, Chinese officials have been queuing in Washington to investigate the potential opportunities that lie ahead. Wang Xiangwei, the former editor-in-chief, regards Trump’s earlier tariffs and trade restrictions as mere “negotiation tactics.” The Chinese countermeasures and tariffs remain notably “moderate and cautious.” In a rather unexpected turn of events, the government instructed the state media outlet “Global Times” to publish a statement on Monday regarding the recent US tariffs, indicating that China is “considering suitable countermeasures,” deviating from its typical direct response approach.
Moreover, Beijing is permitting others to express their views on the situation in Ukraine. On Monday, the state news agency Xinhua released an uncommon report from Kyiv featuring a poignant account from a distraught Ukrainian mother whose son is missing at the front: “This is a nightmare, and to make matters worse, the United States has now betrayed us.” Another Ukrainian was quoted by Xinhua expressing a sentiment of betrayal by the USA: “We fell into the trap.” However, they stop short of claiming that Trump is the mastermind behind the trap. The unpredictability of America’s president poses significant challenges, particularly given the current strategic value he holds for China.
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