How has Chinese media reacted to the election of President Donald Trump and what does it reveal about the Chinese government’s stance on the incoming US administration. In this article, the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s research and engagement adviser, Caleb Hoyle, delves into these questions by analysing Chinese media coverage in the days and weeks following the election.
On 7 November, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message to Donald Trump congratulating him on his re-election as President of the United States.
In the message, which was widely reported and repeated by media in China, Xi noted that “history makes it clear to us that China-US cooperation benefits both countries, while confrontation is harmful to both.” (历史昭示我们，中美合则两利、斗则俱伤).
Xi also expressed his hopes for the two countries to have a mutually respectful and beneficial relationship, and “take a proper path for China-US engagement in the new era, benefitting both countries and the world.” (走出一条新时期中美正确相处之道，造福两国，惠及世界).
The measured tone of Xi’s message was also found in media reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conferences that took place in the days following the election.
In these, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted China’s “consistent” (一以贯之) approach to relations with the US, declined to respond to “hypothetical questions” (假设性的问题) about the prospect of tariffs on Chinese goods, and noted that “there are no winners in a trade war.” (贸易战没有赢家).
Three articles on post-election US-China relations — in the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party; Xinhua Net, the website of state news agency Xinhua; and the Global Times, a semi-official news outlet under the People’s Daily— were widely republished and featured prominently in the media response to the election.
In the People’s Daily, Zhong Sheng, a pen name used for commentaries on major international issues, emphasised the importance of “mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation” (相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢) in US-China relations. Qualities that the “joint efforts of China and the US should be oriented towards” (应该是中美共同努力的方向).
When discussing the mutual benefits of US-China trade, Zhong Sheng paid particular attention to those that have accrued on the US side.
Common interests between the US and China were declared to have “increased” (更多了) and the communication between the US and China over the past year was hailed as “sending a positive signal to the world.” (向世界传递了积极的信号).
A Xinhua commentary also carried messages promoting the importance of stable US-China relations. The “consequences of conflict and confrontation” (冲突对抗的后果), it was noted, would be “unbearable for all” (谁都不能承受).
Further, the author(s) argued, “China does not engage in so-called ‘great power competition’” (中国不搞所谓的“大国竞争”) and emphasised that “both sides should correctly understand the other’s domestic and foreign policies and strategic intentions.” (双方应正确看待对方内外政策和战略意图).
While the commentary stated problems between China and the US are “unavoidable” (不可避免), it also noted that with “dialogue and communication” (对话沟通), the “proper management of differences” (妥善管控分歧) and an expansion of “mutually beneficial cooperation” (互利合作), there will be greater space for constructive engagement between the two countries.
In the Global Times, an editorial covered much the same ground as Zhong Sheng and the Xinhua commentaries.
Unlike the other two news outlets, the Global Times made explicit reference to concerns about Donald Trump’s victory, noting that “as the dust settles following the US election, the world is watching China-US relations with a great deal of interest and concern.” (在美国大选尘埃落定后世界对中美关系诸多关注以及担忧情绪中.
However, the author noted, “China is committed to the goal of a stable, healthy, and sustainable China-US relationship.” (中方致力于中美关系稳定、健康、可持续发展的目标).
China’s stance was said to be providing “valuable certainty and stability” (宝贵的确定性和稳定性) to US-China relations and the rest of the world.
Some articles did place greater emphasis on US-China tensions and highlighted the potential for the relationship to become significantly more acrimonious over the next four years. However, this was not a dominant narrative.
The media’s measured and somewhat subdued post-election treatment of the implications of Trump 2.0 on US-China relations appears to be reflective of a system that is waiting to see how the incoming administration will approach China once in power. If Trump adheres to his new “promises made, promises kept” motto, we can expect coverage of US-China relations to take on a very different tone in the not-too-distant future.
