"[E]very sentence in [the Joint Declaration] reads like a description of the US itself."

The decline exists with most of China's major trading partners, although there are a few exceptions.

Officials of China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said on Monday that the government plans to improve the unified domestic market and make it more attractive to foreign capital.

“we're retreating ... from the rule of law, returning to the rule of power.”

China's Ambassador to Japan, Wu Jianghao, recently talked about "new problems, new risks, and new challenges, especially the U.S. factor" in the bilateral relationship, and warned against a lose-lose situation, and letting the U.S. be the "sole winner."

And they agreed to resolve issues through consultations.

Some Taiwanese politicians and groups also voiced their criticism of the deal for different reasons.