China’s Xi congratulates Trump, looks to increase cooperation in ‘new era’

RFA Staff2024.11.07

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated former U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday on his election victory, and urged their two countries to ‘find the right way to get along in the new era,” the Xinhua news agency reported.

U.S. broadcaster CNN, citing unidentified sources, said Xi had telephoned Trump to offer his congratulations.

“Xi called for the two countries to strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation,” Xinhua reported.

Trump stormed to victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in Tuesday’s election and will return to the White House for his second term in January.

Beijing on Wednesday gave a muted reaction to Trump’s victory.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a press briefing that China’s policy towards the United States would remain “consistent.”

“We will continue to view and handle Sino-U.S. relations in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation,” Mao said.

State media hit out at “U.S. hawks” and called on Trump to improve relations.

The China Daily, in a commentary titled “Onus on new U.S. president to improve ties,” expressed frustration with “U.S. hawks” for the deterioration in Sino-American relations.

“No matter who wins the election, the result will have a far-reaching impact on the world, not least because the winner will decide the U.S.’s China policy,” Chinese academics Fu Suixin and Ni Feng wrote in the commentary.

“The new U.S. administration, therefore, should give up the illusion of having a consensual China policy, and reflect on the costs of undermining Sino-U.S. relations over the past eight years – and honestly tell the American people the truth about China,” they said.

‘More blockades’

Relations between the world’s two biggest economies have been strained for years, particularly over self-ruled Taiwan and China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.

During his first term as president, Trump took a tough line on trade with China and imposed tariffs. He made tariffs a central theme of his election campaign.

Some Chinese social media users, who have been commenting in large numbers on the election, said Trump’s vow to raise tariffs would make life harder for China, or would make global conflict more likely.

“No matter who won, there wouldn’t be peace,” commented Weibo user @Miss_Darcy under a post on Trump’s declaration of victory from state broadcaster CCTV.

Weibo user @Komi9893 warned of economic blockades: “Trump … only cares about America, not other countries … Trump will impose more economic and technological blockades on China, forcing more international companies to stop cooperating with us.”

Another user, @Soma, also had worried about trade frictions.

“Tariffs will be raised on China, there will be a trade war, and China will find trade with Europe and the United States gets very difficult as there will be countless sanctions,” @Soma said.

“Everyone is already having a tough time, and things are going to get even more difficult now.”

Edited by Mike Firn

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