Beijing, traditionally reliant on its economic muscle, growing importance and elite China-inclined “old friends” to influence Washington, is having a tough time figuring out how to connect with the incoming, unpredictable administration of president-elect Donald Trump, according to analysts and former US officials.
China is hardly alone. Many countries have turned to flattery, golf and appeals to Trump’s self-interest and “America first” agenda.
But Beijing is in a particular bind as it grapples with a swooning economy, deeply unfavourable demographics, deep-seated US suspicion and Washington’s “de-risking” campaign aimed at denying it advanced technology, a pillar that President Xi Jinping sees as seminal for China’s future.
