Chinese Citizens Share Mixed Views on Donald Trump's Visit Amidst Tensions

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have met in Beijing as the US president arrived in China on Wednesday night. Early Thursday, he was warmly greeted by his counterpart. The two leaders are set to discuss significant issues such as the ongoing war in Iran, technological tensions, and the situation in Taiwan. Trump has already conveyed a hopeful message, stating, "We are going to have a fantastic future together." However, this summit can be examined beyond political discussions. One intriguing aspect is the perception of Donald Trump among Chinese citizens, especially given the rising tensions between China and the United States in past years. Ahead of their meeting, many Chinese individuals expressed their negative opinions toward Trump. Phrases such as "if a person likes peace, they can't like Trump" and "we hate Trump; we welcome Putin" have been circulating among the populace. This brings into question what the sentiment might be following Trump's arrival in China. According to reports from The New York Times, the general view of Trump among Chinese citizens remains decidedly negative. Milly Zhu, a 34-year-old woman residing in Beijing, remarked on Trump’s demeanor, noting that some of his words and gestures seemed akin to a comedy monologue. She starkly contrasted this with Xi Jinping, stating, "Our president Xi is more serious." Many in China are well-informed about Trump, aware of his prior assassination attempt, his controversial business dealings, and his infamous refusal to wear a mask during the pandemic. Yang Saixiang, a worker at a manicure center, voiced his criticism stating, "He is not a friend of China and I think at his age he should no longer be president." Nevertheless, not all opinions are rooted in negativity. Some citizens advocate for the benefits of maintaining good relations between the US and China. Chen Gang, a 42-year-old steel trader, expressed a preference for diplomacy over conflict: "It would be better to avoid tariff wars and cooperate amicably." Similar sentiments were echoed by patrons at local establishments. A customer at a hair salon warned, "He is not a trustworthy person. He is a businessman, not a good leader." Another added, "He is crazy!" Zhang, a 60-year-old cook, remarked on the precarious global situation saying, "It is a delicate moment in the world. Why is he here? He will cause a lot of misunderstandings." Trump’s stay in China will last until May 15, marking his second visit since 2017. Following this trip, it seems unlikely that his image in this vast country will see any improvement in the near future. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2