Chinese Media Issue Biden Illusion Warning... "Tough Stance on China Will Not Change"

"Biden's China Policy Built on Trump's Legacy... Unlikely to Be a Gamble"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese state media claimed that even if Joe Biden, the President-elect of the United States, officially takes office, the fundamental framework of a hostile relationship toward China will not change.

On the 9th, Chinese media such as Global Times and Huanqiu Shibao flooded with analytical articles stating that there should be no illusions about the new U.S. administration. Chinese media predicted that Biden's transition process would not be smooth, which could cause some delay in forming the Biden administration's diplomatic team. During this period, the tense China-U.S. relationship might temporarily ease, but this does not mean an improvement in relations, they diagnosed.

Jin Chanlong, Vice Dean of the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China, said, "The transition process will serve as a buffer period for China-U.S. relations." Da Wei, Director of the Strategy and International Security Research Center at Beijing International Relations University, said, "The U.S.'s hostile China policy will be a political legacy of the Trump administration," adding, "The Biden administration's China policy will be built on Trump's legacy." He explained that since both the U.S. Democratic and Republican parties are bipartisanly aligned on China policy, there will be little change.

Regarding trade policy, Chinese media forecast that tariffs on products related to the daily lives of American citizens, such as essential goods, are likely to be eased. While there may be a readjustment of the Phase 1 China-U.S. trade agreement, the dominant view among Chinese media is that measures such as tariff removal will not occur. Huanqiu Shibao observed, "Policies to contain and check China in the economic and trade sectors will continue," but also noted, "The Biden administration will not continue Trump's gambling-style policies."

On Taiwan and Hong Kong policies, it is expected that the Biden administration will not cross red lines but will continue arms sales to Taiwan. Regarding Hong Kong, the existing stance will be maintained, but no additional sanctions such as those targeting Chinese government officials are expected.

Additionally, Chinese media foresee little change in policies toward Chinese high-tech companies such as TikTok and Huawei. However, the scope of sanctions may be reduced, and pressure on non-cutting-edge technologies may lessen.

Chinese media also reported that the Indo-Pacific strategy will remain unchanged. Although the Trump administration introduced the concept of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy" at the end of 2017, it claimed this was similar to the previous Obama administration's "Asia-Pacific Strategy." India was already included in Asia, and this policy will not change, Chinese media said. While new names such as Indo-Pacific Strategy 2.0 may be used, the fundamental framework remains the same.

Huanqiu Shibao emphasized, "There will be no reversal in the U.S. China policy," and stressed, "China itself must become stronger to engrain the idea that cooperating with China benefits U.S. national interests."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.