China says it hopes whoever wins US election will ‘work together with us’

As the vote count continues, Beijing hopes to see poll ‘proceed smoothly’, senior diplomat says

Government has real expectations that Biden could overhaul confrontational China policy if he’s elected, according to analyst

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Democratic challenger Joe Biden is ahead in the razor-thin presidential race. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:49pm, 5 Nov 2020Updated: 12:50am, 6 Nov 2020

With the US presidency still hanging in the balance, a senior Chinese diplomat made overtures to Washington on Thursday, calling for joint efforts to rebuild ties regardless of the election result.

The remarks by Le Yucheng, vice-minister of foreign affairs, were the first positive signs coming out of Beijing since Tuesday’s election, which observers see as the most consequential for China amid its power struggle with the US.

They came as Democratic candidate Joe Biden was ahead in the razor-thin presidential race, while President Donald Trump launched legal fights in several battleground states to find a way to victory.

As the vote count continued, Le said Beijing hoped to see the American election “proceed smoothly”, without any hitches.

“In spite of the differences between China and the US, there are broad common interests and room for cooperation,” he said during a press briefing in Beijing.

“Sustaining and advancing China-US relations in a healthy and steady manner is in the interest of our two peoples and reflects the shared expectations of the international community,” he said.