In a significant development, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday (November 25) finally congratulated Joe Biden for registering victory in the November 3 US presidential election.
It should be noted that Xi congratulated Biden more than three weeks after the US media announced that Biden had secured victory in the US presidential election.
There is no denying the fact that relations between Beijing and Washington have hit a new low during the regime of current US President Donald Trump in the last four years. The two countries clashed on various issues, including trade, technology, the coronavirus, and Hong Kong.
In his message to Biden, XI said he hopes to “manage the differences” and focus on cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.
XI’s congratulatory note said China wants to promote a “healthy and stable” relationship and uphold the principles of “non-conflict” and “non-confrontational”.
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Xi expressed hope that the two sides will uphold the spirit of non-conflict, mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation, focus on cooperation, manage differences, and join with other countries and the international community to promote the noble cause of the world peace and development.
Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan congratulated US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
Xi congratulated Biden just two days after President Trump’s administration authorized President-elect Biden to begin a formal transition process. However, Trump has yet to give in and vowed to persist in efforts to change the vote, which so far have been unsuccessful.
China was initially hesitant to congratulate Biden after incumbent Republican President Trump refused to budge. However, on November 13, China disposed of its doubts and congratulated Biden and his running mate Harris on their victory, saying it respects the choice of the American people.
“We have been following the reactions on the US elections both within the United States and the international community,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on November 13. “We respect the choice of the American people and extend our congratulations to Biden and Harris and understand that the outcome of the US presidential election will be determined by following US law and procedure,” Wang said.
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