Suddenly Xi Wants American Friendship

Xi Jinping really wants to be friends with Americans. Don't let the relentless hacking, unprecedented espionage, censoring of foreign news, election interference, planting of spies in politicians' offices, arrests of business consultants, and belligerent stunts in fighter jets fool you. Xi is a friendly guy!

Last week Chinese state news media featured Xi Jinping's "story of deepening friendship between the Chinese and American people. According to a "congratulatory letter" sent to the awards dinner of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, Chairman Xi wants "more exchanges, more communication, and steadily deepening mutual cooperation" between Chinese and American people. 

Xi's message to the dinner was received October 15. That was the same day the news media breathlessly covered the arrival of a new set of pandas at Washington DC's National Zoo--obviously meant to be part of the "friendship with America" blitz. This appears to be a course change after Xi recalled all but 2 pandas from America zoos last year in a fit of anger.

According to Chinese news media Xi has sent "warm and affectionate congratulatory letters to American people in all walks of life" since his visit to San Francisco in November 2023.  

However, Chinese State media had trouble coming up with any recent examples. It dug up decades-old obscure examples of Xi's friendships with Americans by highlighting visits with a trio of people linked to Xi's visit to Muscatine Iowa 39 years ago when he was a young county apparatchik. Xi praised the World War II-era Flying Tigers who defended the Republic of China from Japan 85 years ago. (China's English-language news media and the Chinese ambassador to the U.S. all promoted "the spirit of the flying tigers" last month). Also featured was the elderly wife of a deceased American professor who was somehow linked to youth exchanges. The article shamelessly exploited American children invited to visit China to be used as pawns in his propaganda game. 

On the other hand, it's not hard to find examples of Xi making friends with America's enemies. 

In 2022, Xi declared a "friendship without limits" with Putin's Russia just before the invasion of Ukraine.

Xi overcame his distaste for Islam, beards and 7th-century lifestyles by making friends with the Taliban immediately after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Xi, an avowed atheist, also found fellowship with Iran's President Raisi.

Last year, after the October 7 attack on Israel, Xi attempted to upstage the Americans by becoming a peacemaker in the Middle East. China has disappeared from the scene as the situation deteriorated.

Unfortunately, these friends are not going to bring investment to rescue China from its economic freefall. He needs Americans to fill empty office buildings in Shanghai and he needs their cash to recharge depleted bank reserves. Hence, Xi's new-found need for American friendship.