Human rights and playing the crowds off the agenda for Trump in China
Unlike his predecessors, the US president has not touched on sensitive rights issues and has not spoken to ordinary Chinese in public forums
US President Donald Trump has made no public mention of human rights during his trip to China and will not address universities or members of the public, in a sharp contrast to the visits made by his predecessors.
Instead, the three days of his maiden presidential trip to China have consisted exclusively of official and private events with his counterpart, President Xi Jinping. The two have sipped tea and watched opera performances in the Forbidden City, the imperial palace complex in Beijing, and have held private meetings in official quarters.
Analysts said the itinerary may have been set that way to ensure the visit went off without a hitch, and to reduce opportunities for Trump – known for his off-the-cuff remarks – to say anything that might embarrass the host country.
The US State Department did not respond to requests for comment.
Ja Ian Chong, associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, said that Trump’s administration may not have pushed for such meetings and Beijing would not have proactively arranged them.