Harris or Trump?

What Chinese people want from US election

Laura Bicker
China correspondent, Beijing
In China, people are following the US election with keen interest and some anxiety. They fear
what could happen next at home and abroad, whoever wins the White House.
“None of us wants to see a war,” says Mr Xiang, as the music in the park reaches a crescendo
and a nearby dancer elegantly spins his partner.
He has come to Ritan Park to learn dance with other seniors.
They gather here regularly, just a few hundred metres from the Beijing home of the American
ambassador in China.
In addition to new dance moves, the looming US election is also on their minds.
It comes at a pivotal time between the two superpowers, with tensions over Taiwan, trade and
international affairs running high.
“I am worried that Sino-US relations are getting tense,” says Mr Xiang who’s in his sixties.
Peace is what we want, he adds.
A crowd has gathered to listen to this conversation. Most are reluctant to give their full names in
a country where it is permissible to talk about the US president, but being critical of their own
leader could get them in trouble.
They say they are worried about war - not just about a conflict between Washington and Beijing
but an escalation of current wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.
That is why Mr Meng, in his 70s, hopes Donald Trump will win the election.
“Although he imposes economic sanctions on China, he does not wish to start or fight a war. Mr
Biden starts more wars so more ordinary people dislike him. It is Mr Biden who supports
Ukraine’s war and both Russia and Ukraine suffer great loss from the war,” he said.
Some sisters recording a dance routine for their social media page chip in. “Donald Trump said
in the debate that he will end the war in Ukraine 24 hours after he takes office,” says one.
“About Harris, I know little about her, we think she follows the same route as President Biden
who supports war.”
Their opinions echo a key message being propagated on Chinese state media.
China has called on the international community to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza while aligning
itself with what it describes as its “Arab brothers” in the Middle East and has been quick to
blame the US for its unwavering support of Israel.
On Ukraine, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the United Nations that China was playing a
“constructive role” as he accused Washington of “exploiting the situation for selfish gain”.
While most analysts believe Beijing does not have a favourite in this race for the White House,
many would agree that Kamala Harris is an unknown quantity to Chinese people and the
country’s leaders.
But some believe she will be more stable than Trump when it comes to one of the biggest
flashpoints between the US and China - Taiwan.
“I don’t like Trump. I don’t think there is a good future between the US and China – there are too
many problems, the global economy, and also the Taiwan problem,” says a father of a four-year-
old boy in the park for a family day out.
He fears their differences over Taiwan could eventually lead to conflict.
“I don’t want it. I don’t want my son to go to the military,” he says as the young boy pleads to go
back on the slide.
China claims the self-governing island of Taiwan as its own and President Xi has said
“reunification is inevitable”, vowing to retake it by force if necessary.
The US maintains official ties with Beijing and recognises it as the only Chinese government
under its "One China policy" but it also remains Taiwan's most significant international
supporter.
Washington is bound by law to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons and Joe Biden has said
that the US would defend Taiwan militarily, breaking with a stance known as strategic ambiguity.
Harris has not gone that far. Instead, when asked in a recent interview she stated a “commitment
to security and prosperity for all nations.”
Donald Trump is instead focused on a deal - not diplomacy. He has called on Taiwan to pay for
its protection.
“Taiwan took our chip business from us. I mean, how stupid are we? They’re immensely
wealthy,” he said in a recent interview. “Taiwan should pay us for defence.”
One of their biggest worries when it comes to the former US president is that he has also made it
clear he plans to impose 60% tariffs on Chinese goods.
This is the last thing many businesses in China want right now as the country is trying to
manufacture enough goods to export itself out of an economic downturn.
Ministers in China bristle with contempt at US-led trade tariffs which were first imposed by
Donald Trump.
President Biden has also levied tariffs, targeting Chinese electronic vehicles and solar panels.
Beijing believes these moves are an attempt to curb its rise as a global economic power.
“I don’t think it will do any good to the US to impose tariffs on China,” says Mr Xiang, echoing
the sentiments of many we met. The tariffs will hit the US people, he adds, and increase costs for
ordinary people.
Many of the the younger generation, while patriotic, also look towards the US for trends and
culture - and that, perhaps more than any diplomatic mission, has power too.
In the park, Lily and Anna, aged 20 and 22, who get their news from TikTok, echo some of the
national messages of pride spread by Chinese state media when it comes to this competitive
relationship.
“Our country is a very prosperous and powerful country,” they say, dressed in their national
costumes. They love China, they said, although they also adore the Avengers and particularly
Captain America.
Taylor Swift is on their playlists too.

Summary
In China, people are following the US election with keen interest and some anxiety. Just like the
music reaches a crescendo in a park for the dancing
people, the looming election comes at a pivotal time between the two superpowers. Relations are
getting tense over Taiwan, trade, and international affairs. Both Russia and Ukraine suffer great
loss from the war, and China has called on the international
community to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza.
Beijing accuses Washington of exploiting the situation for selfish gain. The US is bound by law
to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons, and Chinese ministers bristle with contempt at US-
led trade tariffs. President Biden has also levied tariffs, targeting Chinese electronic vehicles and
solar panels. Mr. Xiang, echoing the sentiment of many, believes these tariffs will increase costs
for ordinary people.
The younger generation, while patriotic, also look towards the US for trends and culture. This
competitive relationship is reflected in their admiration for American pop culture icons like
Taylor Swift and Captain America. Despite the political tensions, the cultural influence of the US
remains strong among Chinese youth. This blend of admiration and rivalry adds another layer to
the complex relationship between the two nations.

Hanna Ippolitova, МВР-11