British Broadcasting CompanyIn China, there may be plenty of curiosity within the U.S. election, but additionally some anxiousness. They fear that whoever wins the White Home may have an effect on many elements of life at house and overseas.
“None of us wish to see warfare,” Mr. Xiang stated, because the music within the park reached a crescendo and a close-by dancer gracefully twirled his companion.
He got here to Ritan Park to study dance from different seniors.
They collect right here frequently, just some hundred meters away from the official residence of the U.S. Ambassador to China in Beijing.
Along with new dance strikes, they’re additionally involved in regards to the upcoming U.S. election.
The summit comes at a essential time between the 2 superpowers, with rising tensions over Taiwan, commerce and worldwide affairs.
“I am nervous that Sino-U.S. relations will turn into tense,” stated Mr. Xiang, who’s in his sixties. Peace is what we would like, he added.
A bunch of individuals gathered to take heed to this dialog. In a rustic the place speaking in regards to the US president is allowed, most individuals choose to not give their full names, however criticizing their very own chief may get them in bother.
They are saying they worry warfare — not simply the battle between Washington and Beijing but additionally the present escalation of wars within the Center East and Ukraine.
Because of this Mr. Meng, who’s in his 70s, hopes that Donald Trump will win the election.
“Though he imposed financial sanctions on China, he didn’t wish to begin or struggle a warfare. Biden began extra wars, so extra extraordinary folks didn’t like him. It was Biden who supported the Ukrainian warfare, and each Russia and Ukraine suffered within the warfare Big loss.
Some sisters recorded dance strikes for his or her social media pages.
“I do know little or no about Harris, and we predict she’s on the identical path as President Biden who’s pro-war.”
Their views echo key messages being unfold by Chinese language state media.
China has referred to as on the worldwide neighborhood to barter a ceasefire in Gaza whereas aligning itself with what it calls its “Arab brothers” within the Center East, and has been fast to accuse america of its staunch assist for Israel.
On Ukraine, Overseas Minister Wang Yi instructed the United Nations that China was taking part in a “constructive position” and accused Washington of “exploiting the scenario for private acquire.”
Whereas most analysts consider Beijing has no favourite on this race for the White Home, many agree Kamala Harris is an unknown amount to the Chinese language folks and the nation’s leaders.
However some consider she will probably be extra steady than Trump in relation to Taiwan, one of many greatest factors of battle between america and China.
“I do not like Trump. I do not assume there is a good future between america and China – there are too many issues, the worldwide economic system, and the Taiwan problem.
He worries that their variations over Taiwan may ultimately result in battle.
“I do not need it. I do not need my son to enter the military,” the little boy stated as he begged to get again on the slide.
China claims the self-ruled island of Taiwan, and President Xi Jinping has stated “reunification is inevitable” and vowed to retake it by drive if essential.
America maintains official relations with Beijing and acknowledges it as the one Chinese language authorities implementing the “one-China coverage”, nevertheless it stays Taiwan’s most vital worldwide supporter.
Washington is legally obliged to offer Taiwan with defensive weapons, and Joe Biden has additionally stated america will defend Taiwan militarily, breaking with what he calls strategic ambiguity.
Harris hasn’t gone that far but. As an alternative, she stated she was “dedicated to the safety and prosperity of all nations” when requested in a current interview.
As an alternative, Donald Trump is targeted on making offers, not diplomacy. He referred to as on Taiwan to pay for its safety.
“Taiwan took our chip enterprise away from us. I imply, how silly had been we? They had been very wealthy,” he stated in a current interview. “Taiwan ought to pay us protection bills.”
One in all their greatest considerations in regards to the former US president is that he has additionally made it clear that he plans to impose 60% tariffs on Chinese language items.
That is the very last thing many Chinese language companies wish to see proper now, because the nation struggles to supply sufficient items to export to flee its financial downturn.
China’s ministers are livid on the U.S.-led commerce tariffs first imposed by Donald Trump.
President Biden has additionally focused Chinese language electrical autos and photo voltaic panels with tariffs. Beijing sees these measures as an try to curb its rise as a worldwide financial energy.
Getty Photographs“I do not assume tariffs on China do america any good,” Xiang stated, echoing the emotions of many we have seen. He added that tariffs will hit Individuals and enhance prices for most people.
Many youthful generations, whereas patriotic, additionally look to america for tendencies and tradition—maybe extra influential than any diplomatic corps.
Within the park, Lily and Anna, ages 20 and 22, who get their information from TikTok, echoed a number of the nationwide delight messages unfold by Chinese language state media in relation to the rivalry.
“Our nation is a really affluent and highly effective nation,” they stated, carrying nationwide costumes. They love China, they are saying, although additionally they love the Avengers, particularly Captain America.
Taylor Swift can also be on their playlist.
Others, like 17-year-old Lucy, hope to sooner or later research in america.
As she rode the park’s newly put in train bike, she dreamed of sooner or later visiting Common Studios after commencement.
Lucy stated she was pleased to see a feminine candidate. “Harris’s candidacy marks an vital step ahead for gender equality, and it’s encouraging to see her emerge as a presidential candidate.”
The Folks’s Republic of China has by no means had a feminine chief, and there may be not a single lady among the many high members of the Chinese language Communist Get together, which presently consists of 24 members of the Politburo.
Lucy can also be nervous in regards to the fierce competitors between the 2 nations and believes that one of the best ways for China and america to enhance relations is to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
Each side have vowed to work towards this objective, however the variety of American college students learning in China has dropped to 800 from about 15,000 in 2011.
Xi Jinping hopes to open the door for 50,000 American college students to come back to China within the subsequent 5 years. However in a current interview with the BBC, US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns accused some elements of the Chinese language authorities of not taking this dedication severely.
He stated that safety forces or authorities departments have repeatedly prevented Chinese language residents from collaborating in public diplomacy carried out by america.
Alternatively, Chinese language college students and lecturers reported that they had been unfairly focused by U.S. border officers.
Nonetheless, Lucy stays optimistic that she’s going to sooner or later be capable to journey to america to advertise Chinese language tradition. And, because the music blared close by, she urged Individuals to go to and expertise China.
“We could also be a bit reserved typically and never as outgoing or outgoing as Individuals, however we’re welcoming,” she stated as she ready to reunite together with her household.
BBC Pictures: Wang Xiqing
Between now and the US election on November 5, BBC correspondents in different elements of the world will discover the influence the election outcomes could have on their areas, and the way folks around the globe are viewing the race for the White Home
