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China says will follow custom in making statement on US election winner
A screen shows a news report of US President-elect Joe Biden delivering a speech, in a restaurant in Beijing on Nov 8, 2020.PHOTO: REUTERS
BEIJING (REUTERS, AFP) - China said on Monday (Nov 9) it would follow international custom in making a statement on the US election, when asked why Beijing had not congratulated Democrat Joe Biden on his victory.
Mr Biden clinched enough states to win the presidency but incumbent President Donald Trump has not conceded and is making legal challenges to the outcome of the Nov 3 election.
“We noticed that Mr Biden has declared election victory. We understand that the US presidential election result will be determined following US law and procedures,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a daily media briefing.
China is among a handful of major countries, including Russia and Mexico, that have not congratulated the President-elect.
Other world leaders congratulated Mr Biden and his running mate, Ms Kamala Harris, shortly after the Democrats were declared winners at the weekend and spontaneous celebrations erupted across American cities.
“We always believe that China and the United States should enhance communication and dialogue, manage differences on the basis of mutual respect, expand cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit and promote sound and stable development of bilateral relations,” Mr Wang said.
After declining to acknowledge Mr Biden's victory despite repeated questions from reporters, Mr Wang added: "We hope the new US government can meet China halfway."
Relations between China and the United States are at their worst in decades over disputes ranging from technology and trade to Hong Kong and the coronavirus, and the Trump administration has unleashed a barrage of sanctions against Beijing.
Mr Trump has refused to concede defeat, complaining in a tweet on Sunday: "Since when does the Lamestream Media call who our next president will be?"
BEIJING (REUTERS, AFP) - China said on Monday (Nov 9) it would follow international custom in making a statement on the US election, when asked why Beijing had not congratulated Democrat Joe Biden on his victory.
Mr Biden clinched enough states to win the presidency but incumbent President Donald Trump has not conceded and is making legal challenges to the outcome of the Nov 3 election.
“We noticed that Mr Biden has declared election victory. We understand that the US presidential election result will be determined following US law and procedures,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a daily media briefing.
China is among a handful of major countries, including Russia and Mexico, that have not congratulated the President-elect.
Other world leaders congratulated Mr Biden and his running mate, Ms Kamala Harris, shortly after the Democrats were declared winners at the weekend and spontaneous celebrations erupted across American cities.
“We always believe that China and the United States should enhance communication and dialogue, manage differences on the basis of mutual respect, expand cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit and promote sound and stable development of bilateral relations,” Mr Wang said.
After declining to acknowledge Mr Biden's victory despite repeated questions from reporters, Mr Wang added: "We hope the new US government can meet China halfway."
Relations between China and the United States are at their worst in decades over disputes ranging from technology and trade to Hong Kong and the coronavirus, and the Trump administration has unleashed a barrage of sanctions against Beijing.
Mr Trump has refused to concede defeat, complaining in a tweet on Sunday: "Since when does the Lamestream Media call who our next president will be?"
