Chinese mainlanders are also paying attention to the 2024 U.S. election. They believe that this election could have a profound impact on China’s development trajectory and broader stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Due to control by the Chinese Communist Party, there are no public opinion polls in China regarding the U.S. election. The latest report from the Chinese mainland’s English-language magazine “Magazine International” offers rare insights into the thoughts of ordinary Chinese people on the election.
As the U.S. election approaches, many Chinese are closely following the campaign, concerned about the potential impact of either U.S. Vice President Harris or former President Trump taking office on the global stage and China.
They all believe that the current international risks are greater than ever before, with tensions in Taiwan, U.S.-China trade relations, and the war in Ukraine adding complexity to U.S.-China relations.
A man named Xiang working out in Beijing’s Ritan Park told “Magazine International,” “None of us wants to see a war.” Others in the park expressed similar concerns, fearing a war between the U.S. and China, as well as the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Ritan Park is located near the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.
An elderly man surnamed Meng said he leans towards Trump because he believes the former president is less likely to get involved in military conflicts.
“Despite imposing economic sanctions on China, he doesn’t want to start a war or engage in battles. It’s Biden who supports the war in Ukraine,” Mr. Meng said.
Republican candidate Trump recently stated that he is willing to use tariffs as punishment instead of military actions. According to the Wall Street Journal, at a rally on October 18, Trump said that if Beijing “crosses” into Taiwan, he would impose an additional 150-200% tariff on China, without the need to resort to military force against Beijing.
Trump had previously suggested that Taiwan should “pay for” U.S. protection and described Taiwan as a competitor in the U.S. semiconductor industry. His stance is seen as a pragmatic, business-oriented approach to international relations.
In contrast, Democratic presidential candidate Harris, in an interview with CBS News on October 7, stated that the U.S. should not seek conflict over China-related issues.
She said the U.S. must ensure to maintain the “One China policy,” including supporting Taiwan’s ability to defend itself and ensuring freedom in the Taiwan Strait, but she did not answer whether the U.S. would use force to support Taiwan. President Biden has previously stated on multiple occasions that the U.S. would deploy troops to protect Taiwan.
Many mainland Chinese believe that although Harris is unfamiliar to them, she may bring more stability to U.S.-China relations than Trump. It is because she has shown a commitment to overall security and is not as confrontational on critical issues.
A father in the park confessed his concerns about the escalating tensions in Taiwan, fearing that one day it might force his young son to enlist in the military.
“I don’t want that,” he said. “I don’t want my son to join the army.”
However, regardless of their support, these ordinary Chinese share a common view that the outcome of the 2024 U.S. election could profoundly affect China’s development trajectory and broader stability in the Asia-Pacific region.