China mocks America’s democracy | Daily Mail Online

China’s official news agency said in a commentary on Sunday that the shutdown of the US government exposed ‘chronic flaws’ in the US political system.

Funding for federal agencies ran out at midnight on Friday in Washington after lawmakers failed to agree on a stopgap funding bill.

‘What’s so ironic is that it came on the first anniversary of Donald Trump’s presidency on Saturday, a slap in the face for the leadership in Washington,’ China’s Xinhua News Agency said in a commentary by Xinhua writer Liu Chang.

The commentary said that the Trump administration had ‘backtracked’ on policies supported by his predecessor, Barack Obama, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement and US participation in the Paris climate agreement.

China’s official news agency said in a commentary on Sunday that the shutdown of the US government exposed ‘chronic flaws’ in the US political system. President Donald Trump pictured with China’s President Xi Jinping

‘If there was any legacy that has survived the transfer of power, it was the spirit of non-cooperation across party lines,’ the Xinhua commentary said.

While Xinhua commentaries are not official statements, they offer a reflection of Beijing’s thinking.

‘The Western democratic system is hailed by the developed world as near perfect and the most superior political system to run a country,’ it said.

‘However, what’s happening in the United States today will make more people worldwide reflect on the viability and legitimacy of such a chaotic political system,’ it said.

At a twice-a-decade congress of China’s ruling Communist Party in October, President Xi Jinping was anointed for a second term as party chief, strengthening his grip on power.

The US government shutdown will extend into a third day after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a deal on Sunday night. 

In an olivebranch to the Democrats, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he would seek to bring forward legislation involving the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) if enough Democrats vote to re-open the government.

But no such vote will take place until noon on Monday at the earliest, with any hopes of a last ditch vote taking place at 1am scratched.

'What's so ironic is that it came on the first anniversary of Donald Trump's presidency on Saturday, a slap in the face for the leadership in Washington,' China's Xinhua News Agency said in a commentary. The president worked through the weekend at the White House

‘What’s so ironic is that it came on the first anniversary of Donald Trump’s presidency on Saturday, a slap in the face for the leadership in Washington,’ China’s Xinhua News Agency said in a commentary. The president worked through the weekend at the White House

‘Should these issues not be resolved by the time the funding bill before us expires on February 8, 2018, assuming that the government remains open, it would be my intention to proceed to legislation that would address DACA, border security, and related issues,’ McConnell said from the Senate floor.

‘It is also my intention to take up legislation regarding increased defense funding, disaster relief, and other important matters. Importantly, when I proceed to the immigration debate, it will have an amendment process that is fair to all sides.’

McConnell and Democrat Chuck Schumer are continuing to negotiate but are yet to ‘reach a path forward’, Schumer said, according to Politico. 

It comes after Senator Lindsey Graham predicted Sunday afternoon that there could be a ‘breakthrough’ in sight, as he joined a bipartisan group of senators to negotiate the end to the government shutdown.

‘If there’s going to be one, it will be tonight,’ Graham, a South Carolina Republican, said.  

Mick Mulvaney

Donald Trump

Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney (left) said on Fox News Sunday that he believes ‘Democrats want to see the president give the State of the Union under a shutdown’

Graham told reporters that he believed the Senate could pass a continuing resolution to fund the government for three weeks, with an ‘understanding’ from McConnell that the upper chamber would then tackle immigration issues in the weeks ahead as part of a more long-term funding solution. 

Negotiations had been at a standstill, with Democrats saying they wouldn’t reopen the government until an immigration deal was etched out. 

Republicans, including those at the White House, said they wouldn’t negotiate on immigration until the government reopened.   

Trump’s budget chief predicted on Sunday that Democrats will deliberately extend the federal shutdown until the president has delivered his State of the Union on January 30. 

Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney said on Fox News Sunday that he believes ‘Democrats want to see the president give the State of the Union under a shutdown’.

Mulvaney claimed the Democrats are trying to hurt Trump by keeping the government closed. 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk