China on Tuesday (April 8) sharply criticised US Vice President JD Vance for describing Chinese citizens as “peasants” during a recent interview, a remark that has triggered outrage and mockery across Chinese social media.

Speaking on Fox News last Thursday, Vance defended former President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, blaming the “globalist economy” for America’s economic challenges. “What has the globalist economy gotten the United States of America? And the answer is, fundamentally, it’s based on two principles – incurring a huge amount of debt to buy things that other countries make for us,” Vance said. 

“To make it a little more crystal clear, we borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture,” he added. 

China reacts to Vance’s statements

The controversial statement quickly spread on Chinese internet platforms, with many users slamming the comment as ignorant and disrespectful. At a press briefing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded, saying, “It’s both astonishing and lamentable to hear this vice president make such ignorant and disrespectful remarks.”

Chinese netizens were quick to draw attention to the irony of Vance’s comments, especially given his self-proclaimed working-class background, detailed in his 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy. The book recounts his upbringing in rural America amidst poverty and addiction, experiences that many in China are now contrasting with the country’s own technological and infrastructural advancements.

Former Global Times editor Hu Xijin posted on Weibo, “This true ‘peasant’ who came out of rural America seems to have a lack of perspective.” “Many people are urging him to come and see China for himself,” he added. 

Chinese netizens lash out at Vance 

A hashtag related to Vance’s remarks trended at the top of Weibo, amassing 140 million views by Tuesday afternoon. Comments included sharp rebuttals: “We may be peasants, but we have the world’s best high-speed rail system, the most powerful logistics capabilities, and leading AI, autonomous driving, and drone technologies. Aren’t such peasants quite impressive?” one user wrote.

Another added, “Their arrogance remains unchanged — as rude as ever.” The backlash continues to grow, with many users calling for Vance to better educate himself on the modern China he criticised.