Chinese Media: The US Is Merely a Paper Tiger Along China's Coast

Published 17 Nov.2020 11:13(KST)

"Trump Warns of Humiliation if Colluding with Taiwan in Taiwan Strait"
President Trump, 10 Weeks Left in Term, Criticizes Mad China Policy

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese media warned that with about 10 weeks left in his term, U.S. President Donald Trump, in collusion with Taiwan, would face a firm counterattack from mainland China if he shows unacceptable moves in the Taiwan Strait.

They particularly claimed that while the U.S. is a tiger on the global stage, it is merely a paper tiger along China's coastal waters, and that the Trump administration would suffer humiliation if it tries to show strength during the remaining two months of its term.

China's state-run Global Times and Huanqiu Shibao on the 17th predicted that Trump might adopt a frenzied anti-China policy before leaving office to block President-elect Joe Biden's efforts to improve relations with China.

These media also analyzed that Trump views anti-China policies as his political legacy and does not want his policies to change even after leaving office.

They said that extreme measures against China would also have the effect of forcing the new Biden administration to invest much time and effort in improving relations with China. This is based on the judgment that it would work to Trump's advantage if he runs in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

As a representative example, they mentioned U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's statement that "Taiwan is not part of China." They said he does not hesitate to use ruthless and extreme language against China to create a strong image of toughness toward China.

American political experts in China expect Trump to continue a hardline stance against China to avoid disappointing his supporters.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Xin Qiang, Deputy Director of the U.S. Research Center at Fudan University, said, "Trump's tough policy toward China received great support from his followers," and predicted, "It is highly likely that Trump will maximize the use of the China card ahead of his final term."

He added that additional measures regarding the South China Sea territorial disputes and Taiwan, where conflicts with China are significant, could be announced.

Diao Daming, a professor at Renmin University of China, said, "Despite being in a lame-duck period, President Trump is still signing executive orders and creating more of his political legacy," criticizing that his anger over losing the election is directed toward China.

Xun Ni, a professor of International Relations at Fudan University, analyzed, "Trump's executive orders are like setting traps and planting landmines for the new Biden administration."

In a separate editorial, the Global Times said, "Trump plans to create even greater chaos before leaving, but his influence is not as great as before the election." It added that China does not provoke or kick an opponent when they are down, so there is no need to fear Trump's final frenzy.