Chinese State Media Highlights US Political Divisions During Elections
Chinese state media is emphasizing the divisions in the US as the election results are awaited, framing it as a sign of political dysfunction and possible unrest. Reports portray the election as contentious, expressing skepticism about improved US-China relations regardless of the winner. Ordinary Chinese citizens largely view the candidates as interchangeable regarding their impact on China’s global standing.
As the United States awaits the election results, Chinese state media has seized the opportunity to highlight the profound political divisions within the country, anticipating potential turmoil following the vote. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, who has secured the right to rule indefinitely, Chinese media has increasingly criticized American democracy. Reports from Chinese outlets portray the election as emblematic of significant societal discord and political dysfunction, with little hope for improvement in US-China relations irrespective of the election outcome. State media articulated concerns about the election’s potential for unrest, with headlines such as “US Election Day voting begins amid fears of violence, unrest” appearing in the nationalist tabloid Global Times. Coverage from state broadcaster CCTV focused on Washington, D.C., where heightened security and boarded-up businesses were reported, underscoring the anticipated chaos and downplaying the peaceful democratic participation of many voters. Commentaries on social media platforms voiced sentiments suggesting that the United States is exceedingly divided, with one popular remark suggesting, “the country is so divided, they might as well break into US-A and US-B.” Amid this portrayal, many ordinary Chinese citizens perceive that the election’s outcome will not alter the fundamental nature of US-China relations. One Beijing resident remarked, “To us ordinary Chinese people, whoever becomes the US president, whether it is candidate A or candidate B, it is all the same.” This perspective is rooted in a widespread Chinese consensus that the new US administration will prioritize constraining China’s global aspirations, regardless of the winner. Under the previous Trump administration, bilateral ties were strained through tariffs and aggressive rhetoric towards China, while the Biden administration has also taken measures to curb Chinese technological ambitions and increasingly addressed issues regarding Taiwan, which are sensitive for Beijing.
The coverage of the US elections by Chinese state media reflects a strategic narrative aimed at underscoring the flaws within the American democratic framework. Beijing has historically viewed the US’s criticisms of its own governance as hypocritical. Thus, as political tensions rise within the United States, Chinese outlets seek to frame these developments as a stark contrast to their own political stability. This perspective aims to resonate not only with the government’s narrative but also with the domestic audience’s sentiments regarding US-China strategic competition.
In conclusion, Chinese state media’s focus on the divisions within the United States during the election reflects a long-standing critique of American democratic processes. While they highlight concerns about potential unrest, many in China perceive that the results will not significantly alter the dynamics of US-China relations. This narrative is projected against a backdrop of consistent efforts to counter perceived threats from the US, indicative of the broader geopolitical rivalry between the two nations.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
