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Paul Haenle, Xue Gong, Ngeow Chow Bing, …
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How the U.S. Election Played in China
Increasing Chinese interest in the U.S. political system presents an opportunity to improve Sino-U.S. ties, but also puts a spotlight on tensions and misunderstandings between the two countries.
Source: AmCham-ChinaNovember 14

Part of this interest is generated by the role of China in the rhetoric of both candidates. However, Haenle reiterated that this primarily negative rhetoric is used to appease U.S. domestic concerns over the economy and manufacturing industries, not an indication of real policies that the candidates might adopt when if office.
The U.S. “Pivot to Asia” has also increased Chinese interest in the United States, added Haenle. Although the United States has had a presence in the Asia Pacific, which was significantly enhanced in the aftermath of WWII, the “Pivot” was used to make it clear to U.S. audiences that there would be a shift away from the Middle East and toward the more dynamic Asia-pacific region, he concluded.
About the Author
Former Maurice R. Greenberg Director’s Chair, Carnegie China
Paul Haenle held the Maurice R. Greenberg Director’s Chair at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and is a visiting senior research fellow at the East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore. He served as the White House China director on the National Security Council staffs of former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
- Carnegie China Scholars on the Biden-Xi MeetingCommentary
- Biden and Xi Meet at APECQ&A
Paul Haenle, Chong Ja Ian
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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