US-China tensions set to worsen as moderates lose out to hardliners, observers say

[Dennis Donovan]

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3086802/us-china-tensions-set-worsen-moderates-lose-out-hardliners



Chinese groups calling for more ‘fighting spirit’ are getting the upper hand on those who favour calm and cooperation, government adviser says

From Hong Kong to Covid-19, trade to the South China Sea, Beijing and Washington are clashing on a growing number of fronts and in an increasingly aggressive way

Teddy Ng and Wendy Wu

Published: 6:45pm, 30 May, 2020

Moderates who favour dialogue and cooperation as a way to resolve China’s disputes with the United States are losing ground to hardline groups bent on taking the fight to Washington, according to political insiders and observers.

“There are two camps in China,” said a former state official who now serves as a government adviser and asked not to be named.

“One is stressing the combat spirit, the other is trying to relieve tensions. And the former has the upper hand.”

Relations between China and the US are under intense pressure. After Beijing moved to introduce a national security law for Hong Kong, US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington would begin eliminating the special policy exemptions it grants the city, as it no longer considers it autonomous from mainland China.

The two nations have also clashed over trade, Xinjiang, Taiwan and the South China Sea, with the US passing several acts denouncing Beijing and sanctioning Chinese officials.

</snip>

[dewsgirl]

1. K and R