Xi, Trump ‘bromance’ in China
BEIJING: When they met at United States President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in April, China’s President Xi Jinping found a way to charm the mercurial former real estate mogul. Trump hailed the “good chemistry” of the summit in Florida and predicted “lots of very potentially bad problems will be going away”.
The “bromance” is set to continue when Xi returns the favour by laying on a lavish welcome for Trump’s visit starting on Wednesday. Xi has grown more powerful since their last meeting, while Trump is under a political cloud after his former campaign manager was indicted in an intensifying investigation into Russian meddling in last year’s presidential election.
Chinese experts said Beijing had learnt to manage Trump.
“China has an objective view of him. We’re going to make him feel comfortable,” said Wang Yiwei, a professor of international relations at Renmin University.
“He may end up being re-elected. We need to look at this from a long-term perspective, and not view him as an ‘other’ or a joke.”
Trump clearly respects Xi. In a congratulatory phone call, Trump hailed the “extraordinary elevation” of Xi, whose political thoughts were enshrined in the Chinese Communist Party’s constitution last month during a congress marking the start of his second term.
Aboard Air Force One on his way to Asia, Trump cited record stock market levels, low unemployment and the Islamic State group “virtually defeated in the Middle East” as evidence of his own success.
“(Xi) knows that and he respects that,” Trump said, adding trade was still an irritant in ties.
“I think he’s viewing us as very, very strong and also very friendly. Look we have to do better with trade with China because it’s a one-way street right now. It has been for many years. And we will.”
China’s ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai said Trump would receive a “state visit-plus” experience in Beijing. It’s unclear what the “plus” means. Trump is expected to visit the Forbidden City and participate in an inspection of Chinese troops.
“Trump is very popular with the (Chinese) military,” said a Chinese official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“It’s great for China that the United States is in chaos.
“It means we don’t have to worry about them challenging us.” Reuters