China Loves Trump: Social Media Users Take Favorably to America’s ‘Strongman’

Chinese women check their mobile phones at a market on January 19, 2016 in Beijing, China.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
Adelle Nazarian

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is quite popular… in China.

Trump has consistently said he loves China and the that the China loves him. Despite his criticism of the Chinese, accusing them of stealing American jobs and threatening to take them full-on if elected president, it appears the country’s social media users have taken favorably to him — even if it comes at the cost of his own entertainment.

The Washington Post points out that an article published in a Chinese-language publication online, known as The Paper, Chinese nationals say they view Trump as a “strongman” and “the most human among the GOP candidates. What he says is truth, as even GOP voters know very well themselves.”

One user reportedly even stated that Trump would make a better president than Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton “no matter what,” citing her inability to connect with people and criticizing her for her criticism of the Communist regime’s human rights records.

China is certainly a nation that values strength in a leader. Currently, President Xi Jinping is in a power struggle of his own with China’s military, the People’s Liberation Army.

In fact, it appears the people of China and Trump have one major thing in common: their disdain for Washington politics; a sentiment echoed by America’s electorate as both the Republican and Democratic establishment has been given a run. Trump’s path to victory is largely seen as a signal that the people are tired of politics as usual, as the Washington Post points out.

Last week, an article by national security and China expert Bill Gertz in the Washington Free Beacon pointed out that Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters in Beijing “we are following with interest the U.S. presidential election.” And their fine-tuning to his candidacy is timely. In spite of his criticisms, China is a businessman and where there is money to be made, Trump can be found; especially if it’s a mutually beneficial relationship.

When all is said and done, Trump still manufactures some of his products in China.

Still, others saw the pure joy in the entertainment-value the billionaire and former entertainer brings to the negotiating table. Trump is very cute with a big mouth,” one user reportedly wrote, “I hope he reigns the United States and makes it as messed up as the Middle East.” Another added to that sentiment writing that he hoped he would win the entire election so he “can watch the comedy that is the United States for several years.”

Also this week, a poll released by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)–an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terror financing trial, and a designated terror organization in the United Arab Emirates–indicated that Trump has more Muslim support than the rest of the GOP field combined.

Follow Adelle Nazarian on Twitter @AdelleNaz.

COMMENTS

Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.