SG Talk

PUBLISHED 4 HOURS AGO

SAN FRANCISCO (NYTIMES) - Shopkeepers, landlords and restaurant workers in America's oldest and largest Chinatown reacted with a mixture of anger and apprehension Tuesday (Aug 2) to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan visit.

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some say they fear that the trip by Mrs Pelosi, their representative in Congress, could inflame anti-Chinese sentiment and trigger attacks on Asian Americans.

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A spate of stabbings, robberies and fatal attacks against Asian Americans in the city over the past two years created waves of fear that still grip the community.

Grocery stores, restaurants and shops that were once open late into the night now close at 5-6pm. Social gatherings that once convened in the evenings now take place in the afternoons.


https://www.straitstimes.com/world/unite...iwan-visit

Some Japenis also very worried!

With the US midterm elections, China’s 20th Party Congress, and the Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party government’s “nine in one” local elections all happening this year.

In a recent interview with Chinese state media, political scientist Zheng Yongnian said that the US might be using Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan to engage in a calculated strategic game — a weak response from China would naturally be good for the US; meanwhile, a strong response amid the strong populist anti-China sentiment in the US would validate the Democrats’ political assessment of China and help drive their political agenda.

To that prospect, Lu believes that China’s leaders can think of the bigger picture in considering China-US and cross-strait relations; if they can show sincerity in maintaining peace, and focus on mutual benefit and tolerance, there is a chance of gradually dispelling the populist anti-China sentiment in the US.

A stage exit
So how can Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan give both sides what they need without losing face?