Archive photo: US President Donald Trump with Chinese President Xi Jinping
Chinese analysts and officials do not believe that the United States will target Xi in the same way it targeted Khamenei, given China’s status as a nuclear power. But Trump’s embrace of war as a tool to assert American dominance has reaffirmed Beijing’s view that the United States remains the most enduring threat to China.
The Chinese military posted an infographic on social media last week listing five lessons from the strikes on Iran.One of these challenges was the importance of “superior firepower,” echoing Xi Jinping’s slogan.
It also listed the need for “self-reliance,” likely a reference to China’s attempt to reduce its dependence on other countries for vital inputs such as energy and defense production.
Trump ‘panic’ as China builds submarines faster than ever; Here’s what worries Washington
One indicator says China should watch out for the “enemy within,” an apparent slang term to describe Beijing’s long-standing fear of foreign espionage and any efforts to foment “color revolutions” to overthrow the government. Last month, the CIA released a new video aimed at recruiting spies within China’s military, hoping to exploit Xi’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign that has led to the purge of several top leaders.
One of the most widely discussed points in China is not to be lulled into a false sense of security by entering into negotiations with Washington. The first US-Israeli bombs falling on Iran while the two sides were supposed to be in talks struck Beijing as hypocrisy and an abuse of American power. nyt
