Posted on 02/11/2017 1:58:55 PM PST by markomalley
When President Donald Trump called Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday evening, much of China’s fear of the new U.S. president melted away.
During the course of the call, Trump agreed to honor, at Xi’s request, the one China policy, alleviating concerns that Trump might upend a policy China considers the “political foundation of U.S.-China relations.”
Before he took office, Trump cast uncertainty over the future of the one China policy, which states that there is only one China represented by the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan is a part of China. For the Chinese government, this principle is a “prerequisite for the development of relations between China and the rest of the world.” The policy has been in place since the U.S. officially cut ties with Taiwan in 1979. By engaging Taiwanese leadership and questioning the value of upholding the policy without receiving anything in return from China, Trump raised alarms in Beijing, which repeatedly warned Trump that the principle is “non-negotiable.” Trump’s decision to continue to respect the policy allows China to breathe a little easier.
“Trump has stopped openly challenging China’s core interests, and instead showed respect to Beijing,” the Global Times observed, “Trump is learning about his role in the realm of Sino-US ties.”
“Sino-US ties have, after a little shiver, have returned to where they are supposed to stand,” the article added.
The Global Times commentary, while not necessarily speaking for Beijing, indicates that some in China believe Trump is learning his place or was put in his place.
Some observers suggest that Trump’s sudden shift was a sign of weakness and that he is playing right into China’s hands.
Following Trump’s decision to uphold the one China policy, the New York Times asserted that the president’s reversal “gives China the upper hand.” The Washington Post argued that Trump backed down from a fight and shied away from confrontation with Beijing. The Guardian suggested that president’s choice is the “latest sign Trump may turn out to be a paper tiger,” a common Chinese expression typically used to indicate that something or someone is all bark and no bite.
“Trump lost his first fight with Xi and will be looked at as a paper tiger,” Shi Yinhong, a foreign policy advisor for the Chinese government, told the New York Times. “This will be interpreted in China as a great success, achieved by Xi’s approach of dealing with him.”
“China will see him as weak,” Hugh White, a strategic studies professor at the Australian National University, told New York Times reporters.
But, it is still too early to say whether or not China now has the upper hand. It is unclear what concessions Trump may have received from China in return or whether Trump’s decision to uphold the one China policy will remain unchanged throughout his presidency.
“If he agreed to the one China policy, that means there is no danger of direct war between China and the United States. That fact is very positive,” Yan Xuetong, dean of the school of international relations at Tsinghua University in Beijing, told reporters, adding that China remains suspicious. “Even though Trump has said he will support the one China policy, China cannot fully trust him.”
In the same China Daily article that claimed “reason still prevails in the White House,” the journalist noted, “It is still too early to conclude Trump no longer seeks to antagonize China.”
The Global Times also commented that “uncertainties still loom.”
Are they saying that they've put him in his place?
EXACTLY the wrong thing for them to say. LOL
“FINALLY” = 3 weeks...??
None of these carping fools have the common sense God gave a chimpanzee. It’s all about long term goals. Trump muddies the waters and when it all clears, he comes away with more of what he wants.
This isn’t over. China saved face. Trump will make advances.
I guess these writers have to have something to say, but revealing how shallow they are isn’t a very impressive utilization of time.
Chinese Propaganda ,LOL
China just called you their bitch.Yours,
What is your response?
Laz.
Dear Laz,
Here is my response.
President Donald J. Trump
China, your ass got handed to you.
What is the sound of one hand clapping you say?
Ask Jeb.
Like babes in the forest.
If President Trump has "learned" anything, it is what the proper bait should be and where the weak spots are.
Phase two: build the trap.
.
I wonder who they think died and left them in charge?
Arrogant @sswipes.
China is clueless in regards to Donald Trump.
They keep asking for it.
Trump has then EXACTLY where he wants them.
And they don’t have a clue.
Especially if they think they can pull one over on them.
“This isn’t over. China saved face. Trump will make advances.”
Right you are, and my take on it is that Trump just rattled the Chinese Chimpanzee’s cage. Now he has them guessing.
For China to be officially gloating about this so soon, so openly shows how insecure they still are about ‘the relationship’. I think when certain necessary agreements have been put in place, Trump will raise the Taiwan Issues once again.
Is the “Art of the Deal,” available in Mandarin?
5.56mm
The Chinese have been rolled, the fakestream media just does not want to acknowledge it quite yet.
President Trump has just opened the total renegotiation of the entire range of diplomatic concerns with China.
It makes them wonder how to gauge him.
They may seem him as some loose canon they can’t afford to toy with.
I’m going to enjoy watching this play out.
When some folks try to second guess him, I think they are missile the whole point. What have we learned so far? We’ve learned that it’s really not a very sound idea to second guess this guy.
Remember all the second guessers in the campaign season?
oh he’s not really running to win
oh he’s just trying to get Hillary elected
oh he’ll drop out any minute
oh he’s really done it now
There a many such second guesses by folks. They missed on every single count.
Folks need to sit back and relax. This is going to be educational.
I think all of us could learn a lot by studying how this all played out, and future actions as well.
Good observation. We knew there was going to be a lot of changes with trade. There will be new negotiations. Our lot will improve.
I agree with your take on this.
BOTH The People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China on Taiwan believe in one China!!!!
Trump always knew this, and the PRC has NOT “put him in his place”!!!!
Since i have not heard any of this from the mouth of our esteemed President, I count it all DUNG.
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