An article in the Nikkei Asia Review on February 28, claimed that 'Leftists' in China are angry that China is making concessions to the US in the ongoing tariff negotiations. It said that since they cannot directly attack Xi Jinping, they are focussing criticism against Chinese Vice Premier Liu He who is perceived as close to Xi Jinping and is conducting the negotiations. The article also said many skeptics in China think that even if a final trade deal is reached at the next U.S.-China summit, Trump will launch a fresh attack on China and make new demands within one year as he eyes reelection. Hu Xijin, the influential editor-in-chief of the Global Times, a newspaper affiliated with the Communist Party, wrote on his blog that although it is normal for there to be a debate at home over a big issue, a vast majority of Chinese would welcome the end of the trade war. People should respond rationally, he said. Like the critics who attacked Liu He by comparing him to Li Hongzhang, the editor-in-chief's post is a punch from the other side, protecting Xi, underlining the extent of the feud going on within China behind closed doors over the issue.
|
