{"id":18008,"date":"2026-03-27T15:39:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T15:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/on-beijings-streets-erratic-trump-is-playing-in-chinas-favour\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T15:39:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T15:39:48","slug":"on-beijings-streets-erratic-trump-is-playing-in-chinas-favour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/on-beijings-streets-erratic-trump-is-playing-in-chinas-favour\/","title":{"rendered":"On Beijing\u2019s streets, \u2018erratic\u2019 Trump is playing in China\u2019s favour"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div class=\"sc-6c4043fd-0 eKWkVq sc-13344c9c-2 jwvfKN\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 ikojFo\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 tyHWF\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 yEdFV sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 yiNod\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqtnv\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqrHP\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"30.321786690975\">\n<p><strong>Beijing: <\/strong>It&rsquo;s a frosty afternoon in early spring and hundreds of Beijingers have shaken off a late seasonal blast of snow to take a stroll through the Ming City Wall Ruins Park.<\/p>\n<p>They have come in droves with their cameras for the park&rsquo;s plum trees, which are popping with pink and white blossoms. It&rsquo;s an overly pretty backdrop for chatter about the perilous state of world affairs.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-5119f468-1 guPQLf\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.148%2C$multiply_1.0648%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_4%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/84e67ec59c3e4493e8eac6e02a45e9a3811fa7dedaf35748baa1a88cc6151c49, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.148%2C$multiply_2.1296%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_4%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/84e67ec59c3e4493e8eac6e02a45e9a3811fa7dedaf35748baa1a88cc6151c49 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.148%2C$multiply_0.9206%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_4%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/84e67ec59c3e4493e8eac6e02a45e9a3811fa7dedaf35748baa1a88cc6151c49, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.148%2C$multiply_1.8413%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_4%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/84e67ec59c3e4493e8eac6e02a45e9a3811fa7dedaf35748baa1a88cc6151c49 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Beijingers flocked to the Ming City Wall Ruins Park in March to capture the plum blossoms.\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.148,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_4,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/84e67ec59c3e4493e8eac6e02a45e9a3811fa7dedaf35748baa1a88cc6151c49\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.148%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_4%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/84e67ec59c3e4493e8eac6e02a45e9a3811fa7dedaf35748baa1a88cc6151c49, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.148%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_4%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/84e67ec59c3e4493e8eac6e02a45e9a3811fa7dedaf35748baa1a88cc6151c49 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Beijingers flocked to the Ming City Wall Ruins Park in March to capture the plum blossoms.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Yet, this is what Mr Miao and his friend are bantering about &ndash; the United States&rsquo; attacks on Venezuela and Iran, and climbing oil prices &ndash; as they wander through the grounds on a Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/12-weeks-jail-for-school-it-support-technician-who-took-upskirt-videos-of-teachers\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">&lt;div&gt;12 weeks' jail for school IT support technician who took upskirt videos of teachers&lt;\/div&gt;<\/span><\/a><\/div><p>&ldquo;Trump is erratic. I think he is an entrepreneur, not a politician and strategist,&rdquo; says Mr Miao, a 66-year-old retired financier, who agrees to share his thoughts on the condition that only his surname is used.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-5119f468-1 guPQLf\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.164%2C$multiply_1.0648%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ecbde0d8ed61d7ede0c257113fd54198bdf5c0a4, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.164%2C$multiply_2.1296%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ecbde0d8ed61d7ede0c257113fd54198bdf5c0a4 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.164%2C$multiply_0.9206%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ecbde0d8ed61d7ede0c257113fd54198bdf5c0a4, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.164%2C$multiply_1.8413%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ecbde0d8ed61d7ede0c257113fd54198bdf5c0a4 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"It&rsquo;s an overly pretty backdrop for chatter about the perilous state of world affairs.\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.164,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/ecbde0d8ed61d7ede0c257113fd54198bdf5c0a4\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.164%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ecbde0d8ed61d7ede0c257113fd54198bdf5c0a4, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.164%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ecbde0d8ed61d7ede0c257113fd54198bdf5c0a4 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>It&rsquo;s an overly pretty backdrop for chatter about the perilous state of world affairs.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He sees opportunities for Trump&rsquo;s chaotic decision-making to play in China&rsquo;s favour, pointing to the Iran war.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-13344c9c-3 fepRQx\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hJILsT adWrapper noPrint sc-3f16ee48-9 sc-13344c9c-4 xHsUt efZfmU\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"45\">\n<p>&ldquo;It was a mistake to attack Iran, as it will consume the national strength of the United States. Once the war starts, it is impossible to end it as soon as he imagined,&rdquo; he says.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The US&rsquo;s ultimate goal is to counter China, but this may become more remote now.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s a view shared by some experts, both within and outside China, as America again risks becoming bogged down in a war in the Middle East and redeploys its military resources from the Indo-Pacific to the region.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-5119f468-1 guPQLf\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.104%2C$multiply_1.0648%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cb5b310bc73a96ff03b7fe2efc2c6db34f2ca1a1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.104%2C$multiply_2.1296%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/cb5b310bc73a96ff03b7fe2efc2c6db34f2ca1a1 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.104%2C$multiply_0.9206%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cb5b310bc73a96ff03b7fe2efc2c6db34f2ca1a1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.104%2C$multiply_1.8413%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/cb5b310bc73a96ff03b7fe2efc2c6db34f2ca1a1 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Donald Trump and Xi Jinping last met in South Korea in October. China has signalled it remains committed to hosting Trump in Beijing, after he delayed his planned visit due to the war in Iran.\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.104,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/cb5b310bc73a96ff03b7fe2efc2c6db34f2ca1a1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.104%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/cb5b310bc73a96ff03b7fe2efc2c6db34f2ca1a1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.104%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/cb5b310bc73a96ff03b7fe2efc2c6db34f2ca1a1 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Donald Trump and Xi Jinping last met in South Korea in October. China has signalled it remains committed to hosting Trump in Beijing, after he delayed his planned visit due to the war in Iran.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In its joint strikes on Iran with Israel, the US has heavily tapped into its stockpiles of missiles and interceptor systems, which cannot be quickly replenished. Some Western defence analysts say the longer the war drags on, the more Washington&rsquo;s ability to project force in the Indo-Pacific, which is key to deterring China from making a move to control Taiwan, will be diminished.<\/p>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/migrant-acquitted-in-first-trial-over-us-border-military-zones\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">Migrant acquitted in first trial over US border military zones<\/span><\/a><\/div><p>It can be challenging to gauge the views of regular people in China on global politics and, in particular, US-China relations under the countries&rsquo; leaders, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. People are often cautious about speaking to Western media, concerned their views will form part of what the Chinese system broadly deems an &ldquo;anti-China&rdquo; story.<\/p>\n<p>Adding to this, China&rsquo;s domestic news ecosystem is tightly controlled by the government, and organic online discussions on social media platforms are heavily censored to remove commentary not sanctioned by Beijing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-13344c9c-3 fepRQx\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hJILsT adWrapper noPrint sc-3f16ee48-9 sc-13344c9c-4 xHsUt efZfmU\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"34.63025210084\">\n<p>By the time Trump called last week for a &ldquo;month or so&rdquo; delay to his state visit to Beijing to meet with Xi, citing the war in Iran, Chinese state media had given it sparse coverage.<\/p>\n<p>Beijing had not confirmed the dates (which Washington had briefed out as March 31 to April 2), giving news outlets little to work with.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 EmFFd\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 ePqZbx\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.4402%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_453%2C$y_82\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9b1f51aeccac353277df779e185ed2ccd9c2174d, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.4402%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_453%2C$y_82\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9b1f51aeccac353277df779e185ed2ccd9c2174d 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.4402%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_453%2C$y_82\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9b1f51aeccac353277df779e185ed2ccd9c2174d, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.4402%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_453%2C$y_82\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9b1f51aeccac353277df779e185ed2ccd9c2174d 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump with Chinese President Xi Jinping.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.4402,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_453,%24y_82\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/9b1f51aeccac353277df779e185ed2ccd9c2174d\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.4402%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_453%2C$y_82\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9b1f51aeccac353277df779e185ed2ccd9c2174d, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.4402%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_453%2C$y_82\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9b1f51aeccac353277df779e185ed2ccd9c2174d 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>On Wednesday, Trump posted to Truth Social that the summit had been rescheduled for May 14 to 15, suggesting he intends to wind down the war by then. In keeping with past practice, Beijing won&rsquo;t confirm Xi&rsquo;s schedule until a few days before the event.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t heard the news [of Trump&rsquo;s visit],&rdquo; says Mr Jiang, a 35-year-old energy researcher, who is strolling with his wife through the Beijing park, taking photos of their young son playing in the blossoms.<\/p>\n<p>But it&rsquo;s good for the China-US relationship, he says.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Recently, many things have happened in the international arena, like Iran and Venezuela, that are not good for peace,&rdquo; he says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-13344c9c-3 fepRQx\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hJILsT adWrapper noPrint sc-3f16ee48-9 sc-13344c9c-4 xHsUt efZfmU\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"25.689940828402\">\n<p>&ldquo;So the US and China, as the G2, have a responsibility to co-operate,&rdquo; Jiang says, referencing the &ldquo;group of two&rdquo; concept revived by Trump to refer to the superpowers.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>A fragile truce endures <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>While Beijing has been tight-lipped about the summit plans, there have been plenty of signals that it is keen to keep the fragile truce minted between Trump and Xi in South Korea last year on track.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It really depends on the situation in Iran [whether the summit can proceed],&rdquo; says Professor Wu Xinbo, dean of American studies at Shanghai&rsquo;s Fudan University.<\/p>\n<p>But he says Beijing remains committed to making it happen and that preparations are well advanced.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;China is very much looking forward to his visit and the expected return visit by President Xi to the US later this year. There is high expectation on both visits,&rdquo; he says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-13344c9c-3 fepRQx\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hJILsT adWrapper noPrint sc-3f16ee48-9 sc-13344c9c-4 xHsUt efZfmU\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"34.092477570738\">\n<p>Many analysts also point to the mild response from Beijing to the US attacks on its friends and key oil suppliers, even as the leadership of Venezuela and Iran were dismantled and, in Tehran&rsquo;s case, assassinated &ndash; acts that strike at the heart of China&rsquo;s instinctive paranoia about regime change.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 EmFFd\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 ePqZbx\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3035015555555555%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_235%2C$y_103\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/a5d302608ddab27065f46f72689c4a2ef665215f, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3035015555555555%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_235%2C$y_103\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/a5d302608ddab27065f46f72689c4a2ef665215f 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3035015555555555%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_235%2C$y_103\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/a5d302608ddab27065f46f72689c4a2ef665215f, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3035015555555555%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_235%2C$y_103\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/a5d302608ddab27065f46f72689c4a2ef665215f 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan on Thursday.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.3035015555555555,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_235,%24y_103\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/a5d302608ddab27065f46f72689c4a2ef665215f\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3035015555555555%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_235%2C$y_103\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/a5d302608ddab27065f46f72689c4a2ef665215f, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3035015555555555%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_235%2C$y_103\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/a5d302608ddab27065f46f72689c4a2ef665215f 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Speaking on the sidelines of China&rsquo;s big annual political meetings earlier this month, Foreign Minister Wang Yi avoided directly criticising the US by name while broadly condemning the war on Iran as a breach of sovereignty that &ldquo;shouldn&rsquo;t have happened&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<p>This language is a remarkable shift from Beijing&rsquo;s often strident criticism of the US, says Associate Professor Dylan Loh, an expert on Chinese foreign policy at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This was very different from last year&rsquo;s press conference, where Wang Yi directly called out the US and said that things like they had no moral legitimacy,&rdquo; Loh says.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It is quite clear that China is prioritising the Xi-Trump summit over the damage to its national and economic interests in Venezuela and Iran.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Other observers have made similar assessments of Chinese Premier Li Qiang&rsquo;s address to the China Development Forum this week, where he swiped at the US indirectly by condemning protectionism, power politics and &ldquo;arbitrary and reckless conduct&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-13344c9c-3 fepRQx\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hJILsT adWrapper noPrint sc-3f16ee48-9 sc-13344c9c-4 xHsUt efZfmU\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"142.11848663344\">\n<p>This implicit criticism &ldquo;stands in stark contrast to their optimism about the fact that they believe President Xi and President Trump can maintain a stable US-China relationship going forward,&rdquo; says Daniel Kritenbrink, a former US ambassador to Vietnam now with The Asia Group consultancy.<\/p>\n<p>Kritenbrink says Iran will be the key issue on the table when Trump&rsquo;s visit to Beijing proceeds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-5119f468-1 guPQLf\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.156%2C$multiply_1.0648%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9bee186501735d56cdab71dab2ee04e9e3571e37, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.156%2C$multiply_2.1296%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9bee186501735d56cdab71dab2ee04e9e3571e37 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.156%2C$multiply_0.9206%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9bee186501735d56cdab71dab2ee04e9e3571e37, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.156%2C$multiply_1.8413%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9bee186501735d56cdab71dab2ee04e9e3571e37 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cargo ships sail in the Arabian Gulf towards the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is expected to be the key issue on the table when Donald Trump&rsquo;s visit to Beijing proceeds.\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.156,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/9bee186501735d56cdab71dab2ee04e9e3571e37\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.156%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9bee186501735d56cdab71dab2ee04e9e3571e37, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.156%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9bee186501735d56cdab71dab2ee04e9e3571e37 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Cargo ships sail in the Arabian Gulf towards the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is expected to be the key issue on the table when Donald Trump&rsquo;s visit to Beijing proceeds.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">AP<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>China would &ldquo;have to be uneasy about the regime change aspects of US and Israeli military action, but I think their primary interests are on maintaining stable oil flows from the Middle East, which currently are disrupted,&rdquo; he says.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;That in and of itself will put some pressure on this detente.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Wu says Beijing is likely to advocate for a role in stabilising the Middle East and in any peace deal that limits Iran&rsquo;s nuclear capacity and that this topic will push aside other foreign policy agenda items at the summit table, such as Russia&rsquo;s war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-testid=\"pull-quote\" class=\"sc-e5732b89-0 lhVspT\" readability=\"6\">\n<p>&lsquo;It is quite clear that China is prioritising the Xi-Trump summit over the damage to its national and economic interests in Venezuela and Iran.&rsquo;<\/p>\n<p><cite class=\"sc-e5732b89-1 hcWGZY\">Associate professor Dylan Loh<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>China was one of the six major powers that signed on to the Iranian nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration and ditched by Trump during his first term.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If there&rsquo;s going to be an international mechanism, I think China would certainly like to be part of the process because we are also a stakeholder in the Middle East,&rdquo; he says.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Low expectations of a grand bargain in Beijing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The Beijing summit is set to be the first of several potential face-to-face meetings between Trump and Xi this year. It would open the door for Xi to be hosted at the White House later in the year and the pair could also meet at the APEC summit to be held in China&rsquo;s tech capital, Shenzhen, in November.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 EmFFd\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 ePqZbx\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2292%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/d801520783d001fd9a49525c13edd3752ff8575a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2292%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/d801520783d001fd9a49525c13edd3752ff8575a 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2292%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/d801520783d001fd9a49525c13edd3752ff8575a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2292%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/d801520783d001fd9a49525c13edd3752ff8575a 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\" \" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.2292,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/d801520783d001fd9a49525c13edd3752ff8575a\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2292%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/d801520783d001fd9a49525c13edd3752ff8575a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2292%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/d801520783d001fd9a49525c13edd3752ff8575a 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>This string of opportunities, general uncertainty over Trump&rsquo;s core tariff structure after it was struck down by the Supreme Court last month, and the US preoccupation with the Middle East, have diluted expectations of a wide-ranging deal being sealed in Beijing.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;A successful meeting is a meeting that proceeds and happens at all,&rdquo; Loh says.<\/p>\n<p>Experts are generally anticipating the Trump-Xi summit will extend the trade truce and that it will potentially secure some further agreement in areas regarded as low-hanging fruit, such as co-operation on fentanyl, China lifting its orders for US soyabeans and Boeing aircraft, and continued access to rare earth materials.<\/p>\n<p>The Chinese side is expected to push Washington to relax its strict controls on advanced tech and chip exports to China; to remove Chinese companies from US trade blacklists; and to allow its companies to invest more in America.<\/p>\n<p>Government officials and defence experts in Taipei, Washington and elsewhere will be closely watching Trump for any signs of shifting resolve towards Taiwan&rsquo;s security.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 EmFFd\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 ePqZbx\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2108%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_26\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/24434ef55b5fdcafcc96b8749838a398be419fdc, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2108%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_26\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/24434ef55b5fdcafcc96b8749838a398be419fdc 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2108%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_26\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/24434ef55b5fdcafcc96b8749838a398be419fdc, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2108%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_26\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/24434ef55b5fdcafcc96b8749838a398be419fdc 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"President Donald Trump answers questions on Air Force One.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.2108,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_26\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/24434ef55b5fdcafcc96b8749838a398be419fdc\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2108%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_26\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/24434ef55b5fdcafcc96b8749838a398be419fdc, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2108%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_26\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/24434ef55b5fdcafcc96b8749838a398be419fdc 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Xi, who regards it as China&rsquo;s core goal to unify the self-governing island with the mainland, by force if necessary, is expected to stress Beijing&rsquo;s long-held complaints about US arms sales to Taipei.<\/p>\n<p>Some analysts have speculated he could push Trump to scale back these sales or to shift Washington&rsquo;s rhetorical position of &ldquo;does not support&rdquo; to &ldquo;opposes&rdquo; Taiwan&rsquo;s independence.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, China is capitalising on the global chaos caused by Trump&rsquo;s war, the ensuing energy crisis, and his tariff campaign to talk up Beijing&rsquo;s status as a more reliable, stable global partner.<\/p>\n<p>In what is a victory of optics, if not substance, a cavalcade of US allies has made its way to Beijing in recent months, including Canada&rsquo;s Mark Carney and Britain&rsquo;s Keir Starmer &ndash; the first visit by their countries&rsquo; leaders to China in almost a decade.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They all realise that as the US becomes a less reliable partner under Trump, they need to diversify their diplomatic outreach and improve relations. China is a very necessary option for them,&rdquo; Wu says.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-5119f468-1 guPQLf\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_1.0648%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/85c7cd273127f891b745f4cc8211dd258e83de80, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_2.1296%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/85c7cd273127f891b745f4cc8211dd258e83de80 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.9206%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/85c7cd273127f891b745f4cc8211dd258e83de80, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_1.8413%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/85c7cd273127f891b745f4cc8211dd258e83de80 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"British Prime Minister Keir Starmer shakes hands with Xi Jinping. \" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.161,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/85c7cd273127f891b745f4cc8211dd258e83de80\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/85c7cd273127f891b745f4cc8211dd258e83de80, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.161%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/85c7cd273127f891b745f4cc8211dd258e83de80 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>British Prime Minister Keir Starmer shakes hands with Xi Jinping. <\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">AP<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>Confidence in China&rsquo;s role on the world stage<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>On a Saturday morning at a public newsstand outside Beijing&rsquo;s Workers Stadium sports complex, people are mingling and reading copies of Chinese state newspapers, <em>The People&rsquo;s Daily <\/em>and <em>The Global Times<\/em>, which are posted on a notice board. <i><\/i><\/p>\n<p>The papers carry reports about Ukraine&rsquo;s concerns that the US could reduce its weapons supply to Kyiv due to the Middle East conflict, and speculation that Washington is preparing to deploy military resources from bases in South Korea to the region.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-5119f468-1 guPQLf\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_1.0648%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9fa934b772c1fbd9d804d0b0d392254e455990c22c66b788556e321c7979658c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_2.1296%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9fa934b772c1fbd9d804d0b0d392254e455990c22c66b788556e321c7979658c 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_0.9206%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9fa934b772c1fbd9d804d0b0d392254e455990c22c66b788556e321c7979658c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_1.8413%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9fa934b772c1fbd9d804d0b0d392254e455990c22c66b788556e321c7979658c 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"People read copies of Chinese state media newspapers posted at a public newsstand in Beijing.\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.132,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/9fa934b772c1fbd9d804d0b0d392254e455990c22c66b788556e321c7979658c\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/9fa934b772c1fbd9d804d0b0d392254e455990c22c66b788556e321c7979658c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.132%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/9fa934b772c1fbd9d804d0b0d392254e455990c22c66b788556e321c7979658c 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>People read copies of Chinese state media newspapers posted at a public newsstand in Beijing.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;[Trump] has been very unstable and hard to predict,&rdquo; says Mr An, 71, a retired radio factory worker, who has pulled up to the newsstand on his bicycle.<\/p>\n<p>He has heard the US president is expected to visit the city in May and he wants it to happen.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Let me put it simply &ndash; a visit is always better than a non-visit. The US and China are not enemies. We aspire for a harmonious world,&rdquo; he says.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-5119f468-1 guPQLf\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.141%2C$multiply_1.0648%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/98162f75a644e50e6d40aab4632ec26f51faa8c9, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.141%2C$multiply_2.1296%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/98162f75a644e50e6d40aab4632ec26f51faa8c9 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.141%2C$multiply_0.9206%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/98162f75a644e50e6d40aab4632ec26f51faa8c9, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.141%2C$multiply_1.8413%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/98162f75a644e50e6d40aab4632ec26f51faa8c9 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Chinese state papers carry reports about Ukraine&rsquo;s concerns that the US could reduce its weapons supply to Kyiv due to the Middle East conflict\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.141,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/98162f75a644e50e6d40aab4632ec26f51faa8c9\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.141%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/98162f75a644e50e6d40aab4632ec26f51faa8c9, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.141%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/98162f75a644e50e6d40aab4632ec26f51faa8c9 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Chinese state papers carry reports about Ukraine&rsquo;s concerns that the US could reduce its weapons supply to Kyiv due to the Middle East conflict<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Since Trump unveiled his tariff agenda in April last year, Beijing has hammered home its resolve to fight back even if it means &ldquo;eating bitterness&rdquo; in the short term, as Xi puts it, and enduring economic pain.<\/p>\n<p>Mr An echoes this view, which sceptics might dismiss as parroting propaganda. While it&rsquo;s inevitable that the relentless drumbeat of Beijing&rsquo;s narrative will shape public opinion in China, it can also be easy to write off what is a genuine confidence among the public about their country&rsquo;s place in the world.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;China now has a certain level of strength to face off against the United States. We have a lot of ways to strike back. After all, China has rich resources, a huge population and a complete industrial chain,&rdquo; he says.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;China is not afraid of sanctions. China can get through it.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><i>Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what&rsquo;s making headlines around the world.<\/i> <i>Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter<\/i><i>.<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><sub>On Beijing&rsquo;s streets, &lsquo;erratic&rsquo; Trump is playing in China&rsquo;s favour<\/sub><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA Beijing: It&rsquo;s a frosty afternoon in early spring and hundreds of Beijingers have shaken off a late seasonal blast of snow to take a stroll through the Ming City Wall Ruins Park. They have come&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/on-beijings-streets-erratic-trump-is-playing-in-chinas-favour\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;On Beijing\u2019s streets, \u2018erratic\u2019 Trump is playing in China\u2019s favour&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18009,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18008","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18008","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18008\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18009"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}