Pompeo Has a ‘Fossilized Mind-Set,’ But Other Americans Want Good Relations with China

June 11, 2019 (EIRNS)—Zhang Wenzong of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations published an article in the June 10 issue of Global Times which distinguished sharply between the anti-China hysteria displayed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and others in Washington, and the many forces in the U.S. that would like to have a good, cooperative relationship with China.

“Pompeo’s China view shows a fossilized mind-set,” Zhang wrote, and stating that “it is not an exaggeration to say that Pompeo is the one who has exerted himself the most in tarnishing Chinese tech giant Huawei’s image.... But his arguments are always flawed.”

Zhang continued:

“Although the U.S. has highlighted competition with China, forces inside the U.S. that support the continued development of relations with Beijing cannot be underestimated. Many U.S. states value exports to China; universities welcome Chinese students; some U.S. enterprises have long expected to benefit from the BRI [Belt and Road Initiative]. Many high-tech companies in Silicon Valley are the beneficiaries of globalization and Huawei’s win-win partners. They dare not express their opposition to the U.S. government’s crackdown on Huawei. Different voices can also be heard among elites about the way Pompeo and the current U.S. government handle relations with China. The right-wing Republicans have continued to create crises on the grounds of national security and have attempted to mobilize the American people. However, if McCarthyism resurfaces, people in the U.S. will be the first to be affected.”

Also outside the U.S., Zhang wrote, “many countries are not intimidated by the U.S. and boldly express their support for Chinese enterprises and policies.”