China's Xi Congratulates Trump, Seeks New Path for China-US Relations

Chinese President Xi Jinping extended his congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump following his re-election victory, emphasizing the need for China and the United States to find the "right way" to handle their differences through open dialogue and communication. Trump's historic win marks his return to the White House for a second term, celebrated as a significant political comeback.

In his message, Xi stressed the importance of expanding cooperation and constructive communication between the two nations, the world’s largest economies. "I urge China and the US to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation," Xi said, noting the need for both countries to strengthen dialogue in this new era of international relations.

China has approached Trump’s re-election with cautious optimism. During Trump’s first term, he took a firm stance on China, including imposing tariffs on over $380 billion worth of Chinese exports to the US. As the election results became clear, the Chinese Foreign Ministry commented that China respects the American people's choice, reaffirming a commitment to manage bilateral relations based on "mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation."

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also avoided commenting on Trump’s campaign promise to further increase tariffs on Chinese goods. "We do not respond to hypothetical questions," she said, reflecting China’s stance on potential policy changes.

Trump’s return to office has brought mixed reactions in Beijing, where economic challenges have been exacerbated by a slowing economy and rising unemployment. In a statement, the state-run China Daily expressed hope that Trump's second term could provide an opportunity for China-US relations to improve. "The next four years present a chance to strengthen communication and address differences," the editorial noted, pointing to ongoing issues like trade, the Taiwan question, and South China Sea tensions.

Trump’s previous administration witnessed intense trade disputes, including a trade war in 2018-2019 when the US imposed significant tariffs on Chinese imports, accusing China of unfair trade practices. During his recent campaign, Trump raised the possibility of increasing tariffs even further, a move that could impact the substantial $427.2 billion trade in goods between the two nations last year.

Aside from trade, Trump’s past policies led to confrontations over technology restrictions and allegations related to the Covid-19 outbreak, which he linked to a Wuhan lab. Additionally, military relations between the US and China were strained, with frequent disagreements over regional security.

With both nations facing a range of complex issues, Xi's message underlined a cautious optimism that increased dialogue might lead to more stable China-US relations.

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