Advertisement
US presidential election: China ‘hopes to work with next administration’
- Chinese foreign ministry stops short of congratulating Joe Biden
- Two countries should improve dialogue and manage differences, ministry says
Reading Time:1 minute
Why you can trust SCMP
China has said it hopes to work with the next US administration even though Chinese President Xi Jinping has yet to officially congratulate Joe Biden.
Many leaders around the world rushed to congratulate Biden on the weekend after major US networks declared him the winner of last week’s US presidential election.
But China’s response has so far been muted.
01:00
China waits to congratulate Joe Biden on US election win
China waits to congratulate Joe Biden on US election win
In Beijing’s first official response to the results, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Monday that China “has taken note of Mr Biden declaring victory, and we understand that the election results will be confirmed according to related US laws and procedures”.
Advertisement
Xi congratulated US President Donald Trump soon after the Republican candidate’s win in 2016.
Trump has yet to concede defeat and China’s response this time has been much more cautious.
Asked on Monday when Xi would offer his congratulations, Wang did not respond directly, saying only that China would “act according to international customary practice”.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x