China’s decision to remove the two-term limit on the presidency, paving the way for Xi Jinping to potentially rule indefinitely, has been a significant political move. This decision, which ended long-standing rumors, now sees Xi Jinping in a position of extended power.
Chinese experts and citizens are now expressing serious concerns about the state of democracy in the United States. They describe it as “in deep trouble” and warn of a “toxic atmosphere” building within the country. This sentiment follows the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, a topic heavily covered by Chinese state media.
Chinese Media’s Perspective
The Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party, reported that Chinese netizens view the attempt on Trump’s life as a sign of severe issues within the U.S. democratic system. According to these reports, this incident highlights deep divisions within the country and signals a troubling future for American politics.
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Discussions on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo and Xiaohongshu have been widespread, with many speculating that Trump’s political adversaries might resort to extreme measures, including further assassination attempts, given the difficulty of defeating him legally. Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of the Global Times, remarked on X (formerly Twitter) that the assassination attempt could generate considerable sympathy for Trump, potentially aiding his political comeback.
“The shot will win Trump a lot of sympathy,” Hu stated, suggesting that this incident brings Trump “one step closer to returning to the White House.”
Impact on Chinese E-commerce
In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, Chinese e-commerce platforms quickly capitalized on the incident. Numerous vendors are now selling T-shirts featuring a photo of Trump just after the shooting. One online seller claimed that dozens of orders had already been placed by Sunday morning, illustrating what a Global Times reporter termed “Yiwu speed”—a reference to the rapid commerce typical of Yiwu, the world’s largest wholesale market for small commodities.
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Expert Opinions on U.S. Politics
Chinese academic experts have been closely monitoring the increasing polarization in the United States, particularly since the 2016 election. Lü Xiang, an expert on American studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that the incessant mutual accusations and personal attacks between the presidential candidates have fostered a highly toxic political environment.
“In the midst of relentless mutual accusations and personal attacks between the two elderly candidates, a toxic atmosphere is continuously building up,” Lü told the Global Times. He suggested that further violent incidents are likely in such a “poisonous environment.”
Jin Canrong, associate dean of the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China, provided a similarly grim assessment. He argued that the concept of compromise has all but disappeared from U.S. politics, with Americans now behaving in an “extreme and reckless” manner. Jin warned of the potential for “civil war” as the wealth gap widens and contentious issues like immigration become more heated and divisive.
Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, emphasized the unpredictable nature of American elections. “The biggest characteristic of American elections is their unpredictability,” he told the Global Times. Li suggested that given the volatile political climate, it is impossible to foresee what might happen as the November election approaches.
International Concerns and Reactions
Despite the alarming views expressed by Chinese experts and netizens, there has been no immediate response from Trump’s campaign or the Chinese Foreign Ministry to these reports. Newsweek also reached out for comments but had not received any replies at the time of publication.
The assassination attempt on Trump has undoubtedly sparked a wide range of reactions, highlighting not only the deep-seated divisions within American society but also the international concern regarding the stability of U.S. democracy. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the world watches closely, contemplating the potential ramifications of this unsettling event.