BEIJING – A mall in northern China has installed a larger-than-life caninestatue with more than a passing resemblance to US President Donald Trump towelcome the coming Year of the Dog.

The giant pooch towers above shoppers in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxiprovince, sporting a slick golden pompadour, angled brows and a red scarfwith one index finger raised in a distinctly Trumpian manner.

As he was born in 1946, Trump, who has been accused of having more barkthan bite, is a dog under the Chinese zodiac — a trait which he shareswith his predecessors George W Bush and Bill Clinton.

Those born in the Year of the Dog, according to Chinese astrology, areforthright and extremely loyal, in addition to having a strong sense ofjustice. But they can also be stubborn, irritable and easily angered.Last year the mall erected a large Trump-like rooster, which inspirednumerous replicas, including a giant inflatable one placed not far from theWhite House this summer.