Chinese Netizens Joking Obama Are Considering Pushing His Wife to Run for the Presidency
Chinese Netizens Joking Obama Are Considering Pushing His Wife to Run for the Presidency
In a surprising development, incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he will not seek reelection in 2024 and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate.
This news has attracted considerable attention from the Chinese public, with scholars and observers closely monitoring the unfolding events. In China, there’s a widespread consensus that Biden’s decision not to seek reelection is not entirely surprising, especially, given the political landscape and the aftermath of the assassination of former President Donald Trump.
According to international media reports, the Chinese public believes that Biden’s criticism of Trump may be hard to maintain, and there is an expectation that Trump’s supporters could become more fervent, potentially influencing centrist voters’ decisions. Moreover, Chinese observers have noted extensive criticism of Biden from Democratic media and sponsors, seemingly aimed at pushing him to step down and replace him with a more formidable candidate.
However, there’s also a belief among the Chinese public that Biden may not have actively sought to withdraw, especially with the Democratic convention approaching and other potential successors possibly lacking stronger support than Biden. Media reports indicate that despite Biden’s withdrawal from the race, he has already used up most of his campaign funds. Additionally, Vice President Harris, his endorsed successor, does not seem to be receiving significant backing from Biden himself.
The Chinese people are closely monitoring the Democratic Party’s selection of a presidential nominee. However, there is a prevailing belief that U.S. foreign policy aimed at containing China’s development will remain unchanged, regardless of which party wins the election. Nevertheless, there is anticipation of potential shifts affecting the Chinese diaspora. Many perceive Vice President Harris as having slim chances of winning, prompting speculation among the Chinese public about whether other prominent Democratic figures, like Obama and Pelosi, are considering alternative options.
After Biden’s withdrawal, the Democratic Party has reportedly launched a frenzy of fundraising activities, indicating that Harris can participate in the election and should not face a lack of campaign funds. However, the reticence of Obama and Pelosi has sparked new rounds of speculation among the Chinese public, with some even joking that Obama should consider pushing his wife to run for the presidency, as she may have better prospects than Harris.But there are also some who joked that girls who love to smile don’t have bad luck.
In general, Chinese netizens view the US election with a sense of entertainment, which has played as a substitute since the decline of talent shows in the market. The public eagerly anticipates the ongoing chaos of the election process, eagerly awaiting new developments that can spark the creation of more memes.
China Expands 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy to Anhui Province
In a recent announcement, the Shanghai Public Security Bureau revealed that Chinese authorities have approved the implementation of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy at the ports of entry in Hefei, which is a mere 3-hour train ride to Shanghai, and Huangshan, a UNESCO World Heritage site where is fairy mountain in ancient Chinese poets. The Anhui public security authorities are currently advancing preparations to facilitate this new policy.
scene of Huangshan
The 144-hour visa-free transit policy allows eligible foreigners to enter and stay in designated cities or regions in China for up to 144 hours without a visa. This policy has been implemented at 37 ports of entry across China and has garnered positive feedback from both Chinese citizens and international travelers alike. Chinese netizens believe that inbound foreign tourists have increased foot traffic at attractions during off-peak seasons and boosted local spending at various vendors and markets.
During the first half of this year, many foreign netizens shared videos of their trips to China on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and others, challenging the biased perceptions often portrayed by Western media. Chinese citizens and officials are pleased to witness this spontaneous enhancement of Sino-foreign exchanges. Netizens have expressed hopes that the Anhui government will promptly establish entry management measures so that foreign tourists can fully enjoy the beauty of Mount Huangshan.
Overall, the sentiment among Chinese citizens and officials is optimistic and welcoming towards increased inbound tourism. The Chinese government remains committed to expanding the 144-hour visa-free transit policy as part of broader efforts to foster friendly exchanges between China and the international community.
As preparations in Anhui Province move forward, the public eagerly anticipates welcoming foreign visitors to experience the region’s unique cultural and natural wonders. The expansion of the visa-free policy is viewed as a positive step towards promoting greater cross-cultural understanding and showcasing China’s tourism industry on the global stage.
The Passing of a Vietnamese Leader: Implications for Sino-Vietnamese Relations
Nguyen Phu Trong
Nguyen Phu Trong, the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, has passed away. In response, Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President, visited the Vietnamese embassy in Beijing on Saturday to pay his respects. Unlike having his prime minister or foreign minister attend on his behalf or calling to offer condolences, Xi came and highly praised him .
In his tribute, Xi Jinping praised Nguyen Phu Trong as a “staunch Marxist and a great leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Vietnamese people.” Xi emphasized Trong’s unwavering dedication to the CPV, Vietnam, its people, and the cause of socialism in Vietnam, which garnered deep respect and admiration from Vietnam’s party, military, and populace.
Xi and Trong had maintained close contact and developed a strong camaraderie over the past decade. Last year, they jointly elevated bilateral relations to a China-Vietnam community with a shared future and a comprehensive strategic partnership, a level of relationship second only to the close ties between Pakistan and Russia.
The Chinese public mourned the loss of such a Vietnamese leader known for his friendly stance towards China and his advocacy against corruption. In 2016, Nguyen Phu Trong proposed “bamboo diplomacy,” which enabled Vietnam to maintain a delicate balance in its relations with both China and the United States. Consequently, Chinese people are closely monitoring who will succeed Nguyen Phu Trong as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and how this might affect Sino-Vietnamese relations.
Chinese scholar Zhao Weihua, Deputy Director of the Center for China’s Relations with Neighboring Countries at Fudan University, believes that Tô Lâm will likely assume the post of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, predicting continuity in Vietnam’s balanced foreign policy. This stance reflects a consensus among Vietnamese domestic politicians and scholars on the importance of avoiding a one-sided foreign policy. Additionally, the geographic proximity, cultural similarities, shared political system, and mutual engagement in socialist development bind China and Vietnam closely. Economic and trade exchanges between the two nations remain robust, with China being Vietnam’s largest trading partner for over two decades, reciprocated as Vietnam is China’s top trading partner within ASEAN. Both sides have strong incentives to maintain friendly relations.
However, there are concerns following Vietnam’s recent submission of a maritime delimitation in the South China Sea shortly after Nguyen Phu Trong’s passing, which covers the entire central maritime area. This move is seen as indicative of an unfriendly stance from Vietnam.