Kamala Harris or Trump? What do Chinese people think of the U.S. election?

 Direct translation

Reporter : Lin Yan / Editor : Ye Ziwei / https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/24/10/24/n14357333.htm /Image : The picture shows 10 June 2016, Beijing Ritan Park. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Mainland Chinese are also paying attention to the 2024 U.S. election. They believe that this election may profoundly affect China's development trajectory and affect the stability of the broader Asia-Pacific region.

Under the control of the Chinese Communist authorities, there are no public polls of Chinese people on the U.S. election. The latest report by "Magazine International", an English-language magazine published in mainland China, gives the outside world a rare glimpse into the thoughts of ordinary mainland people.

Reports say that as the U.S. election approaches, many Chinese are paying close attention to the campaign and are worried about the impact that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Trump (Trump) taking the White House will have on the world and China.

They all believe that international risks are now greater than ever, with Taiwan, Sino-US trade tensions and the war in Ukraine all adding complexity to Sino-US relations.

A Mr. Xiang who works out in Beijing's Ritan Park told Magazine International, "None of us want to see a war." Others in the park expressed similar concerns. They were all worried about a war breaking out between China and the United States. There are also concerns about the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Ritan Park is located near the U.S. Ambassador’s residence.

An elderly man surnamed Meng said he prefers Trump because he believes the former president is unlikely to be involved in a military conflict.

"Although he has imposed economic sanctions on China, he does not want to start a war or fight a war. It is Biden who supports the war in Ukraine." Mr. Meng said.

Republican candidate Trump recently said he was willing to use tariffs as an alternative to military action. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump said at a rally on October 18 that if Beijing "enters" Taiwan, additional tariffs of 150% to 200% will be imposed on China, and there is no need to use military force to confront Beijing.

Trump has also previously proposed that Taiwan "pay" for U.S. protection and described Taiwan as a competitor in the U.S. semiconductor manufacturing industry. His stance is seen as a pragmatic, business-oriented approach to international relations.

In contrast, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said in an interview with CBS News on 7 October 2024 that the United States "should not seek conflict" on the China issue.

She said that the United States must ensure that it maintains the "one-China policy", including supporting Taiwan's ability to defend itself and ensuring freedom across the Taiwan Strait. However, she did not answer whether the United States would use force to support Taiwan. President Biden has stated on many occasions in the past that the United States will send troops to protect Taiwan.

Many mainlanders believe that although Kamala is unfamiliar to them, she may bring more stability to Sino-US relations than Trump because she expressed an overall commitment to safety and was less aggressive on key issues.

One father at the park confessed that he fears rising tensions in Taiwan could one day force his young son to serve in the military.

"I don't want this," he said. "I don't want my son to join the army."

However, no matter who they support, these ordinary Chinese have expressed a unanimous view that the results of the 2024 US election may profoundly affect China's development trajectory and affect the stability of the broader Asia-Pacific region.