Chinese ‘love’ Trump’s Mandarin- speaking granddaughter

Beijing : While media coverage of Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping Thursday focused on trade and North Korea, it was the wide-eyed crooning of the US leader’s granddaughter that stole Chinese netizens’ hearts.

In a video that Trump showed Xi during their stroll through the historic Forbidden City Wednesday, his granddaughter, Arabella Kushner, greets “Grandpa Xi and Grandma Peng (Liyuan)” with several Mandarin ballads and a recitation of ancient Chinese poetry.

China’s Xinhua state news agency, which circulated the clip widely on social media, reported that Xi said the six-year-old girl’s Mandarin skills deserved an “A+”.

The Chinese public agreed, according to Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

“As a little ambassador of Chinese-American friendship, Arabella has already received the love of a vast number of Chinese people,” Hua said during a regular press briefing Thursday.

“This kind of special arrangement is actually very sweet and warm-hearted. We believe that this has helped to further bring closer the affection and distance between the Chinese and American people.”

Arabella also played a starring role at the state dinner organised by Xi in Trump’s honour at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday night.

The full video, which Trump brought as a gift for Xi, was played on screens in the room, earning her a mention in her grandfather’s toast.

“Our children so often remind us of our shared humanity and true dignity,” Trump, 71, said.

Weibo, China’s Twitter-like platform, was filled with praise for Arabella’s performance Thursday. 

“She’s too cute!” users gushed. “Let’s hope that she marries into a Chinese family.”

It’s not the first time Arabella has played a role in Sino-American diplomacy.

When Xi visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Florida resort in April, Arabella recited for Xi the “Three Character Classic”, a time-honoured text from the Song Dynasty that was also included in her latest clip.