China propaganda: US differences before elections

China propaganda: US differences before elections

As US election results came in, Chinese state media seized the opportunity to highlight political polarization in the US and stress the risk of post-election unrest in its Democratic rival.

Political tensions and reactions in China

Beijing reacted mockingly to Washington's criticism of its authoritarian one-party system. Under the leadership of Xi Jinping, who paved the way for lifelong rule, Chinese state media increasingly mocks the American political system and liberal democracy.

Coverage of the US elections

In a series of election reports State media reported that the elections were a reflection of deep social divisions and political dysfunction in the US and that bilateral relations were unlikely to get better no matter who won.

Titles such as “US Election Day Begins Amid Fears of Violence and Unrest” appeared in nationalist newspapers such as the Global Times. A report from Washington on state television network CCTV focused on barricaded stores and an increased police presence, while downplaying the large number of people peacefully exercising their democratic rights.

Various opinions on social media

The US elections were among the most discussed topics on Chinese social media on Tuesday and Wednesday. A popular joke made the rounds on microblogging platform Weibo: “The country is so divided, they might as well divide into USA-A and USA-B.”

For many Chinese, the focus was not just on the result but also on the spectacle. "For us ordinary Chinese, it doesn't matter who becomes president of the USA - whether candidate A or B, it remains the same," said Beijing resident Li Shuo before the elections.

A Consensus on American Politics

One reason for this indifference may be a broad consensus in China, from policymakers to ordinary citizens, that the American administration wants to curb China's rise on the global stage, regardless of whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump win.

During Trump's last term in office, the Republican Party increased tariffs on hundreds of billions in Chinese products and campaigned against telecom giant Huawei. Over the past four years under President Joe Biden, the rhetoric has changed, but concerns about China's threat to national security have only grown.

Impact of the US administration on China

Biden has also gradually moved away from longstanding U.S. policy by supporting Taiwan - a "red line" issue in the relationship with Beijing, which claims this self-governing island democracy as its own territory.

“It doesn’t matter who wins,” one user wrote in a popular comment on Weibo. “Their containment strategy against China will not let up.”