August 19th, 2024

Overview

This week, we explore Democratic Vice President Nominee Tim Waltz's past with China. Additionally, we investigate how some of the challenges China faced during the 2024 Paris Olympics and their global implications.

The Minnesota Sinologist?

By Guest Contributor Lindsey Spain

The recent addition of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign ticket has stirred considerable discussion regarding his past activity regarding China and its implications for future U.S.-China relations

A History with China: Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Walz has been well received by the Democratic party as a choice to represent the voices and interests of Middle America. Following his graduation from Chadron State College in 1989, he taught abroad in Guangdong, China, for a year at Foshan No.1 High School. Since 1989, Walz has visited the country over thirty times and spoken publicly about various issues about China as a congressman and governor.  

For the Record: Walz has faced significant criticism from leading GOP figureheads regarding his past with China. Though Walz has not been shy about expressing his affection for Chinese culture, his recent history has been characterized by a more hawkish standpoint. As a congressman, Walz met with several Chinese figures, including the Dalai Lama and Joshua Wong, a Hong Kong activist who was imprisoned in 2020 for his demonstrative activities against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He was a member of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, created by Congress to monitor Chinese human rights developments. He co-sponsored the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act in 2017, which requires the United States government to impose sanctions against Hong Kong and mainland Chinese officials responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong. The legislation passed in 2019 with near-unanimous support in Congress and a signature from then-President Donald Trump. 

Implications for U.S.-China Relations: House Oversight Chair Representative James Comer (R-Ky) announced on August 16th that he would initiate an investigation into Walz’s “extensive engagement with China.” Walz’s recent activities with China may be less than helpful in fostering further relations between the two superpowers. Mainland China has taken an increasingly adversarial stance against Hong Kong, passing the 2020 Hong Kong National Security Law, which includes the stipulation that “collusion with foreign forces” carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Walz has long been a supporter of democratic efforts in Hong Kong, including the aforementioned meeting with Joshua Wong and the Dalai Lama. The CCP harshly denounces those who collude with the Dalai Lama, seen as a “separatist” figure, even forcing those applying for jobs in Tibet to renounce him. Rather than an amicable relationship with the CCP, Walz may accrue increased scrutiny from mainland China due to his support for pro-democratic policies in Tibet and Hong Kong.

The Cost of Gold In China

By Senior Contributor Cristian Abarca

Gold and Glory: The Complex Reality Behind China’s Olympic Success.

A Successful Olympics: At the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, China tied the United States for the most gold medals awarded, with 40. However, Chinese news outlets insist that China surpassed the U.S. in gold medals, which is only valid when those earned by Taiwanese and Hong Konger athletes are also included. The first time China surpassed the U.S., the usual frontrunner in gold medals, was at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. This result solidifies China’s long-term efforts to bolster its national athletics, primarily through a focus on particular sports like diving, shooting, and swimming. Despite this, the U.S. topped China in overall medals with 126 over 91. 

Continued Suspicion: Along with their domination in table tennis and swimming events, China struggled through some events at the Paris Olympics. Once considered a rising power in international swimming competitions, doping scandals have consumed many successes, with 12 members of the Chinese swimming team having tested positive for banned substances, including performance-enhancing chemicals like trimetazidine. From there, a more significant suspicion of Chinese athletes’ legitimacy has flourished. 

Toxic Fan Culture: Many Chinese athletes who were medalled at the Summer Olympics have since found the resulting attention less enjoyable. As well-known public figures, they’re commonly stalked, swarmed in public areas, and cannot have privacy as their homes are constantly camped out with fanatical followers. Fan groups have also turned violent in competitions between the athletes they promote, leading to dozens of injuries and significant harm done to international views on Chinese sport. As a result, Chinese authorities have cracked down on toxic and dangerous fan groups, arresting facilitators, condemning statements, censoring social media, and directing athletes to stifle their fan base as much as possible. However, fans across China have responded by accusing Chinese athletes of being unpatriotic for attempting to avoid the support of their nation’s people.

Geopolitical Strategy: Chinese reporting vehemently denies that sports are a field for geopolitical matters. However, achievements in international sports remain a point of national pride as they confirm China’s place as a state or, more accurately, a people with global influence. Additionally, the Olympics heavily correlate with contemporary Chinese principles of masculinity, nationalism, and strength, driving social support. China also seeks to use soft diplomacy through sporting events to smooth relations with other actors, a strategy it has adopted consistently in recent years.