Chinese Media Critiques U.S. on 250th Independence Anniversary

Over the weekend, Chinese state media broadcasted a portrayal of the United States as a declining power, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A prominent piece by the state news agency Xinhua featured a character dressed as Uncle Sam blowing out birthday candles shaped like missiles. These candles launched into the air, symbolically landing on Iran.

This imagery highlighted other nations affected by U.S. military actions such as Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing for comments on this depiction.

Chinese state media often serves as a conduit for Beijing’s narratives, especially in framing the U.S. as a rival power in decline. This contrasts with the Chinese Communist Party’s governance model. U.S. President Donald Trump, in a speech at Mount Rushmore, championed American exceptionalism and warned against communism. However, Xinhua cited issues like political gridlock and a divisive foreign policy as indications of America’s waning influence.

Challenges to U.S. Dominance

In a July 4 editorial, Xinhua described the U.S. as facing significant challenges within its historical constitutional framework. The article questioned the ability of American institutions to self-correct and adapt, criticizing current foreign policy as outdated concerning global shifts.

Wu Xinbo, a professor at Beijing’s Fudan University, stated that the U.S.’s role as a global leader has declined recently. Meanwhile, China has surpassed the U.S. in merchandise exports and leads in high-speed rail and electric vehicles, according to Hu Xijin, former editor of Global Times on Weibo.

Hu expressed hope that by the U.S. 300th anniversary, China would surpass the U.S. in overall national strength and technological advancements.

Official Comments and Perspectives

Yet, the official Chinese stance, as expressed by President Xi Jinping and other diplomats, maintained a more diplomatic tone. President Xi congratulated President Trump and the U.S. on the anniversary. Xie Feng, China’s ambassador to the U.S., extended well-wishes for the celebrations.

The narratives of both nations’ leadership strategies, ‘Make America Great Again’ and China’s ‘great rejuvenation,’ were noted for their potential mutual benefits. This sentiment suggested cooperation between the two powers could enhance global well-being, as stated by Ambassador Xie Feng.