Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich expressed strong concerns regarding Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's bow to a Chinese official during her recent visit to Beijing. Speaking on "Fox & Friends," Gingrich emphasized the significance of such gestures within Chinese culture, suggesting it signals inferiority. He compared Yellen's actions to a similar gesture by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, highlighting a pattern of what he perceives as submissive behavior from the Biden administration.
Gingrich argued that in the historical context of China, bowing signifies a subordinate position. He found it astonishing that a U.S. Treasury Secretary would bow to a representative of the Chinese Communist Party, attributing it to a lack of understanding of the real-world implications. He criticized what he sees as a naive worldview among some, drawing a parallel to misinterpreting the film "The Lion King" as a documentary.
The image of Yellen bowing multiple times while shaking hands with Vice Premier He Lifeng sparked criticism from others as well. Bradley Blakeman, a former White House staffer under President George W. Bush, described the gesture as inappropriate, suggesting it projected an image of being summoned to a principal's office, optics he believes the Chinese government appreciates.
Yellen's visit to Beijing coincided with the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, a point of contention for some critics of the Biden administration's approach to China. The meeting between Yellen and He Lifeng was part of a broader effort to ease tensions between the two economic superpowers.
While some interpret the bow as a sign of weakness, others argue it's a simple gesture of respect within a different cultural context. The incident highlights the complexities of international diplomacy and the varying interpretations of seemingly simple actions.
