The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is intensifying its criticism of the regime led by the Communist Party of China. Exploring the context of such criticism will bring to the fore one White House official who has in-depth knowledge about China.
He is Matt Pottinger, 47, White House deputy national security adviser for Asian affairs. He has a singular background: having learned a Chinese language at a university; worked as a journalist stationed in China for a newspaper; and then joined the U.S. Marine Corps.
Taking part online from the White House in a virtual symposium held by the University of Virginia on May 4, the 101st anniversary of the May Fourth Movement -- student protests in China on May 4, 1919 -- Pottinger made his 20-minute speech in fluent Mandarin. He praised Li Wenliang, a doctor from Wuhan, China, who raised early alarms about the spread of infections of a new coronavirus, and those who participated in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, as standard-bearers for democratization.
It is unusual for a senior U.S. government official to only use the Chinese language in a speech and get to grips with political issues. Plainly discernible is his aim to appeal to Chinese people in various parts of the world. In the same month, he also sent a message in Mandarin on the occasion of the inauguration ceremony of Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, praising democracy in Taiwan.
His criticism has drawn attention from those in diplomatic circles, with some saying it is rare for a White House official to have made such provocative criticisms of the Chinese regime.
Pottinger's distrust of China stems from his personal experiences. From 1998, he spent 7 years in China as a journalist for the Wall Street Journal of the United States and a news agency. During these years, he said he had been relentlessly obstructed in his news reporting activities, even punched by a person in authority. In an article in the WSJ, he also recalled those days he spent in China, saying living in China "shows you what a nondemocratic country can do to its citizens."
Pottinger was brought to the White House as a senior director for Asia of the National Security Council by Michael Flynn, Trump's former adviser, with whom Pottinger had become acquainted during his Marine Corps years in Afghanistan. Ever since, Pottinger has brought himself closer to Trump.
An official of the Japanese government who also attended the Japan-U.S. summit talks said that Trump had often asked for Pottinger's opinions, saying things like, "Hey Matt, what's happening with this?"
Some have also pointed out that it was based on Pottinger's advice that Trump once used the term "Wuhan virus" and came up with entry restrictions on individuals coming from China in February.
Yet, Trump would not always act as was choreographed by Pottinger and he might sometimes be influenced by other aides. In any case, Trump has probably concluded that it would work to the advantage of his reelection in the November presidential race if he has China assume the role of villain, notably now in the midst of the coronavirus calamity. The U.S. hard-line policy on China maneuvered by Pottinger will continue for the time being.
As for the Japanese government, Pottinger is a dependable person who attaches importance to the U.S. alliance with Japan. Through Pottinger, the government has made approaches to Trump to cooperate with Japan over the issue of the abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korea. From now on, such scenes might increase in which Japan would be asked to act in concert with the United States on issues related to China.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
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