Two sessions 2020: why Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had little to say about the United States
- Li kept the focus on home in his annual work report to the NPC, warning the country of the grim challenges ahead
- The limited references to international affairs may speak volumes about the global backlash against Beijing over the coronavirus, analyst says
As a US-led global backlash against China over its initial handling of the coronavirus crisis continued to brew, Li was more focused on a long list of grim social and economic challenges at home.
He admitted that “China will face challenges like never before” over a long time, but nonetheless put on a brave face, declaring that the country would “make it through” with its authoritarian one-party rule, economic strength and great market potential.
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The report was largely in line with the convention of not referring to countries by name, but the lack of references might also indicate the leadership’s struggle to put a positive spin on relations with the United States.
“Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, have often talked about changes the world has not seen for a century. Now, the narrative has become reality,” said Pang Zhongying, a Beijing-based international affairs analyst. “With US-China relations going nearly into a free fall, Beijing is probably facing the worst international situation in over three decades.”
Although China and the US have had some limited medical cooperation during the Covid-19 crisis, it has done little to put ties back on track.
Trump has upped the ante in his blame-shifting game with China ahead of November’s presidential elections and tensions have been heightened over Taiwan, Hong Kong and the South China Sea.
