Memories of China’s 1895 Shame Loom Over Envoy's High-Stakes Talks
- Online commentators link Liu He to colonial era official
- Discussion helps explain Chinese push back on U.S. demands
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If you’re heading off to represent China in negotiations with a foreign power, the risk that a deal sparks a backlash at home is real.
That’s the problem facing Chinese Vice Premier Liu He as he prepares for high-stakes trade talks Thursday in Washington. Comments from nationalist-leaning commentators have emerged on Chinese internet platforms in recent days comparing Liu to the Qing dynasty official who signed a much maligned treaty with Japan more than a century ago.