China Social Media Backs Trump After Harris Joins Presidential Race
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US Politics Stir Chinese Social Media: Kamala Harris Sparks Trump Speculations
As the US Vice President Kamala Harris's candidacy for the Democratic presidential ticket captures global attention, Chinese social media has been buzzing with activity. Users of China's Weibo platform have speculated that her bid could pave the way for Donald Trump's return to the White House, thrusting the American election into the forefront of discussions.
The departure of President Joe Biden from the 2024 race dominated the top slots on Weibo early Monday, with the “Biden exit” hashtag garnering 370 million views by noon. In parallel, the topic “Harris praising Biden” attracted around 57 million hits. This chatter saw one user posing the question, "Does this mean Trump is set to win?" highlighting the palpable curiosity among Chinese citizens about how this development impacts their economy.
Another Weibo user wittily noted, “The Democratic Party has become the first to prepare for 2028 US elections. The future is promising.” Despite her meeting with President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Thailand in 2022, Harris's familiarity among Chinese people remains limited, especially compared to California Governor Gavin Newsom. Newsom's visit to Beijing with a more conciliatory message had received widespread approval.
A recent online poll involving 12,000 Weibo users revealed that nearly 80% believe Trump would triumph over Harris in the November race. These results emerged just five hours after the poll was conducted, shared by the Shanghai-based Morning Post.
Chinese Media and Public Perception
A social media account linked to CCTV made a subtle jab at the US in a WeChat article on Sunday, promoting China's stable progress amidst global crises. The article drew attention to political instability in various countries and mentioned incidents of political figures facing assassination attempts. The sensation around Trump's imagery, notably one showing him defiantly raising his fist after being shot, has permeated Chinese social media, bolstering his popularity. One Weibo user even called the image "perfect" and predicted Trump's victory, garnering 14,000 likes for the post.
State media outlets, including the Guangzhou Daily, noted Harris's potential to be the first American president of Asian descent if she wins the November race. However, there is scant discussion about how her administration might shape US-China policy. Tang Xiaoyang, head of the international relations department at Tsinghua University, suggested that Harris's China policy may adhere to traditional Democratic ideologies and may not initially adopt a distinct approach targeting China.
Implications and Speculations
Despite the buzz, the long-term implications of Harris's potential presidency on US-China relations remain a topic of speculation. With Trump’s previous tenure marked by a trade war with Beijing, Harris's strategy remains to be seen. As the world watches, Chinese netizens and analysts are actively engaging, trying to decipher what the American political maneuverings mean for global geopolitics and specifically for China.
Ongoing Developments
The unfolding narrative of the US presidential race and its impact continues to be closely monitored by both citizens and state media in China, reflecting the intricate web of global political dynamics.
