Why China Is Furious With JD Vance: The Most Hated American Politician in China Right Now Today, we’re going to talk about a political figure who’s become a lightning rod for controversy in China—JD Vance, the Vice President of the United States. His recent remarks have triggered a massive wave of anger across Chinese social media. So much so, that people in China are making memes, AI-generated and even music mocking him. It’s a rare sight—even former U.S. President Donald Trump didn’t receive this level of outrage from Chinese citizens.
But what exactly did JD Vance say that sparked such backlash?
To begin with, it’s not because Vance is planning to visit India or meet with PM Modi. Nor is it because of his involvement in a potentially historic India-US Trade Deal, which could be worth $500 billion and might finally resolve long-standing tariff issues between the two nations. That’s not why China is upset.
The Real Reason for China’s Outrage
The real trigger was a statement by JD Vance during an interview, in which he referred to the Chinese people as “peasants.” Yes, that one word—“peasants”—is what lit the fire.
In modern usage, calling someone a “peasant” is deeply insulting. It’s a term from medieval Europe, used to describe extremely poor farmers with no land, working as laborers under feudal lords. In today’s world, it’s not just outdated, it’s offensive.
So when JD Vance said, “We borrow money from Chinese peasants,” it didn’t just come off as arrogant—it felt like a direct insult to the Chinese public and their progress. Many saw it as a reflection of America’s old mindset, refusing to accept China’s rise on the global stage.
How China Responded
What followed was an explosion of criticism. Chinese netizens flooded social media with parody videos. Some showed Vance’s face with exaggerated makeup, mocking his appearance. Others used the phrase “Made in China” sarcastically, linking it to Vance’s alleged use of Chinese-made eyeliner. They called him “a clown,” ridiculed his statements, and even created entire songs around the “peasants” comment.
It’s important to note that these videos weren’t just made by ordinary users. State-affiliated Chinese accounts also shared them, signaling how seriously the comment was taken. China’s response is not just emotional—it’s strategic. They are using this opportunity to position themselves as modern, advanced, and disrespected unfairly by the West.
India’s Role in This Growing Tension
JD Vance is soon visiting India, and his trip is expected to draw global attention. Reports suggest he’ll visit the Akshardham Temple, hold trade discussions, and possibly take major steps towards formalizing the India-US trade agreement. China is watching this very closely.
Interestingly, the All India Kisan Sabha, affiliated with the Communist Party of India, has already announced they will protest Vance’s visit. Their concern? That India is getting too close to the US, and leaders like Vance should not be welcomed.
Meanwhile, China is also making moves to woo India, indicating a willingness to buy Indian products and expressing a desire for friendship. Clearly, they’re trying to counterbalance the growing India-US alliance, especially as the US continues to isolate China economically through trade wars and tech bans.
What’s Coming Next
This visit by JD Vance will likely be followed by more high-profile visits. Elon Musk is expected in India soon, possibly to discuss Starlink and X.com. Later this year, Donald Trump might visit India for the QUAD Summit, and that could be when the historic trade deal is officially signed.
As this US-India-China triangle intensifies, one thing is clear—China sees India as a key player in the power dynamics of the 21st century. And the JD Vance controversy is just the beginning.