China swipe at US 'flaw'

Beijing: China's official news agency said in a commentary on Sunday that the shutdown of the US government exposed "chronic flaws" in the US political system.

Funding for federal agencies ran out at midnight on Friday in Washington after lawmakers failed to agree on a stopgap funding bill.

"What's so ironic is that it came on the first anniversary of Donald Trump's presidency on Saturday, a slap in the face for the leadership in Washington," China's Xinhua News Agency said in the commentary by Xinhua writer Liu Chang.

The commentary said the Trump administration had "backtracked" on policies supported by his predecessor, Barack Obama, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement and the US participation in the Paris climate agreement.

"The Western democratic system is hailed by the developed world as near perfect and the most superior political system to run a country. However, what's happening in the US today will make more people worldwide reflect on the viability and legitimacy of such a chaotic political system," it said. Reuters