[Correspondent Column] Trump Targeted in China... Intensified Whale Fight

[Asia Economy Beijing=Correspondent Sunmi Park] President Donald Trump is a public enemy in China.

Just as political talk, mostly critical rather than supportive, has become a common side dish at Korean dining tables, nowadays in China, criticizing Trump has become routine. Even grandmothers who seem unfamiliar with diplomacy or politics talk about Trump when they gather in parks. Trump is often described as a villain or a madman. He is perceived as a ruthless politician who stirs up trouble by involving Hong Kong and Taiwan to provoke peaceful China, and as a madman who is ruining the once great power, the United States.

The media plays a significant role in shaping this perception among Chinese people. They consistently attack Trump and the United States with one voice. The Chinese perception of American politicians closely mirrors what is portrayed on Chinese TV and internet news. According to the consistent message from local media, China is always a country fulfilling its role for world peace and prosperity, while American politicians, who are unilateral and full of contradictions, continuously attack China.

Recently, the level of criticism against the U.S. by Chinese state media has intensified and become more explicit. The Global Times, known for its conservative hardline stance, has created a special section titled "Protesters' Rage Explodes over George Floyd's Death" prominently displayed at the top of its English website. Clicking on this section, which features a background of blazing flames, reveals concentrated news coverage of various U.S. protests along with blatant anti-American posters.

Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Global Times, even compared American politicians to Goebbels of the Nazi regime on Twitter. Posters released in a series by the Communist Party’s official newspaper, the People’s Daily, depict anti-American sentiment vividly, such as an image of a black man being strangled while wearing a butterfly tie patterned with the U.S. flag. The state-run English news channel CGTV also produced and posted a 1 minute 30 second game video mocking U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Chinese diplomats justify China’s attacks on the U.S. as "defense, not preemptive strikes." They argue that the U.S. started the trade war and initiated political attacks on China’s politicians and government under the pretext of human rights and freedom protests. China claims it is only taking corresponding measures to protect its interests and rights, repeatedly sending the message that all faults and responsibilities lie with the U.S.

However, the current G2 relationship dynamic makes the distinction between "preemptive strike" and "defensive response" meaningless, as both sides are in the position of attackers. To neighboring countries heavily influenced by the G2, this appears as the same unjustifiable "violence."

The tense standoff between the G2 is likely to lead to a full-scale alignment and division of neighboring countries. Many observers believe this process has already begun. The U.S. effort to expand the Group of Seven (G7) summit into a G11 meeting excluding China, along with increased external activities by China’s top leadership, are seen as moves to recruit allies and gain support.

Because of the dice rolled by the G2, South Korea faces a difficult position where it is forced to choose sides. With the expansion to G11, South Korea has an opportunity to raise its voice globally, but at the same time, it must maintain a strategically neutral stance without provoking either G2 power. The G2’s fist, wielded against the entire world, is unlikely to stop anytime soon. Our government needs a wise strategy to avoid being caught in the conflict while seizing opportunities. Every word from politicians and the tone of media coverage could become prey exploited by the G2’s attempts to divide. This is a time to be cautious for the sake of national interest.