Chinese state media has adopted a new approach towards the United States ahead of the much-anticipated meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The media outlets have shifted towards less negative coverage, calling for a return to warmer relations and highlighting positive connections between the two countries. This change in messaging comes after years of heightened tensions between the US and China, encompassing issues such as trade and technology, the status of Taiwan and Hong Kong, and the origins of COVID-19.
Chinese media have specifically focused on significant visits by the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Flying Tigers. The Philadelphia Orchestra’s recent visit marked the 50th anniversary of their historic trip to China, which played a crucial role in establishing US-China ties. Additionally, the media highlighted the visit by the Flying Tigers, a group of American military pilots who supported China in World War II against Japan.
The official Communist Party newspaper People’s Daily emphasized the enduring friendship between the Chinese and American people, stating, “The Chinese people will never forget an old friend, and that’s an important message we want to send to the American people.” The Xinhua news agency further called for both countries to “meet each other halfway” and “work together to return to the path of healthy and stable development.” However, it also urged the US to honor the agreements made by Biden and Xi during their meeting in Bali last November.
China has emphasized the importance of returning to the Bali agreements, which encompassed areas of cooperation such as addressing climate change and maintaining global financial, health, and food stability. China asserts that the US has deviated from its pledges to “not seek out a new Cold War,” to “respect China’s system,” and to “not oppose China through strengthening its relationships with allies.”
In an op-ed, the People’s Daily stated that only by managing US-China relations well could the well-being of both peoples and the progress of human society be promoted, contributing to the peaceful development of the world. Even the nationalistic Global Times newspaper called for cooperation between the two countries in an op-ed.
Chinese state media has historically focused on negative coverage of the United States. However, this shift in tone aims to highlight China’s achievements in comparison. David Bandurski, executive director of the independent China Media Project, explains that the negative portrayal of the US is part of Xi Jinping’s strategy to construct legitimacy in his third term.
During the Black Lives Matter protests in the US last year, Chinese media extensively covered the violence and clashes with police, portraying China in a more positive light. At that time, relations between the two countries were strained, with China defending itself against US accusations regarding the origin of COVID-19.
As the Biden-Xi talks approach, Chinese state media has not emphasized San Francisco’s homelessness problem, despite some social media users posting photos and commentary on the city’s dangers. Instead, the media has focused on positive stories, such as a video on Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) where a young Chinese man in San Francisco showcased precautions he takes to protect himself, such as keeping bank cards in separate locations and wearing sneakers to potentially escape trouble.
The change in language and cooperative tone in state media reflects China’s recent efforts to mend strained relations with other countries, including Australia and some European nations. However, despite the shift, few anticipate substantial changes to the overall direction of US-China relations. Commentators, such as Sima Nan, an international affairs commentator with a substantial social media following, believe that China still considers the US a competitor.
