Newsom a better bet than Biden for China ties

The recent US debate was not kind to Joe Biden. The president’s lackluster performance has prompted discussions about potential replacements, with California Governor Gavin Newsom’s name gaining particular traction.

This scenario has already found considerable favor in China. There are compelling reasons why Newsom’s ascension could be beneficial for both US-China relations and the broader global economy.

Chinese social media has been abuzz with discussions about Newsom. Images and videos of the governor, who made a significant impression during his visit to China last year, have been widely shared.

A notable clip of Newsom reiterating his support for Biden as the Democratic nominee had garnered 90,000 views on China’s Weibo platform at the time of writing. Particular comments have reflected admiration for Newsom’s “presidential temperament” and his “impeccable qualifications” for leadership.

Last October, Newsom met with President Xi Jinping in the Chinese capital, marking the first such meeting with a US state governor in six years. During the visit, Newsom lauded Beijing’s advancements as beneficial for global progress and pushed for cooperative efforts on climate change.

This approach underscores Newsom’s understanding of the interconnected nature of global economies and the critical need for collaborative solutions to pressing global issues.

Henry Wang, founder of the Center for China and Globalization, describes Newsom as a “pragmatic and balanced politician.”

Wang emphasized that the governor’s perspective could bring a level-headed approach to US-China relations, which have been dangerously strained over Taiwan and the Biden administration’s technological restrictions, including on high-end chips and