Vice President Kamala Harris has surged into the spotlight on Chinese social media, with many speculating that her campaign for the Democratic nomination could potentially clear the path for Donald Trump to return to the White House. On Monday morning, as China woke up to the news of President Joe Biden’s exit from the 2024 presidential race, Weibo was dominated by election discussions. The hashtag “Biden exit” garnered a staggering 370 million views by noon, while “Harris praising Biden” accumulated around 57 million hits.
Weibo users were abuzz with questions and commentary. One user wondered, “Does this mean Trump is going to win?” while another commented humorously, “The Democratic Party is already gearing up for the 2028 elections. Looks promising!”
Chinese Views on Harris and Trump
Harris, who met with President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Thailand in 2022, remains relatively unknown in China compared to other American political figures. In contrast, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent trip to Beijing was well-received, with his friendly stance earning praise.
An online poll of 12,000 Weibo users revealed that nearly 80% believe Trump would beat Harris in the November election. This poll, reported by the Shanghai-based Morning Post, was conducted just hours after Biden’s announcement. The former president’s popularity has been buoyed by recent dramatic images and social media posts, including one showing him defiantly raising his fist. The image was widely shared and praised, with one user declaring, “Trump is set to win!”
Harris’s Potential Impact on U.S.-China Relations
Chinese state media, including the Guangzhou Daily, have noted that Harris would be the first American president of Asian descent if she were to win. However, there is limited discussion on what her potential administration might mean for China. Tang Xiaoyang, an expert in international relations at Tsinghua University, suggested that while Harris’s China policy will likely follow traditional Democratic views, she might not implement a specific strategy toward China in the short term.
Biden Steps Down, Harris Steps Up
President Biden, at 81, announced on Sunday that he would withdraw from the 2024 race, yielding to pressure from his allies concerned about his age and ability to defeat Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris quickly declared her intention to run for the presidency, receiving immediate backing from many Democrats who welcomed Biden’s endorsement.
Biden stated, “Although I intended to seek re-election, I believe stepping down is in the best interest of my party and the country. I want to focus entirely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term,” calling his presidency “the greatest honor of my life.”
A Fast-Paced Election Race
With Biden’s exit, Kamala Harris has rapidly become the leading Democratic contender against Trump, transforming the race into a high-speed, 106-day contest. This accelerated timeline, akin to snap elections in Europe, will heighten the impact of any missteps by Harris while reducing the time for major errors.
As the election approaches, global attention is fixated on how Harris’s campaign will unfold and what her presidency might mean for U.S.-China relations. Chinese social media continues to buzz with speculation and analysis, reflecting both curiosity and concern about the future political landscape.
