Photo: VCG

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday extended congratulations to Donald Trump on his election as president of the US.

Xi urged the two countries to find the right way to get along in the new era, so as to benefit both countries and the wider world, according to Xinhua News Agency. 

History teaches that China and the US gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, said Xi, noting that a stable, sound and sustainable China-US relationship serves the two countries' shared interests and meets the aspiration of the international community.

He expressed the hope that the two sides will uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences and expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

On the same day, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng extended congratulations to J.D. Vance on his election as vice president of the US. 

During Chinese Foreign Ministry's press briefing on Thursday, Mao Ning, Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said President Xi pointed out that history tells us that both China and the US stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. A China-US relationship with stable, healthy and sustainable development serves the common interests of the two countries and meets the expectations of the international community. 

Hope the two sides will work in the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, to enhance dialogue and communication, properly manage differences and expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and to find the right way for China and the US to get along with each other in the new era to the benefit of the two countries and the world, Mao said.

When asked how China will respond to Trump's claim about blanket tariffs on goods from China, Mao said, "we do not answer hypothetical questions. But broadly speaking, let me reiterate that there is no winner in a trade war, nor will the world benefit from it."  

When asked about China's response to Trump's claim that China will not invade Taiwan, Mao emphasized that "the Taiwan question is the most important and most sensitive issue in China-US relations. China firmly opposes official interactions of any form between the US and Taiwan. This position is consistent and clear. The US government needs to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, and prudently handle Taiwan-related issues, so as to avoid severe damage to China-US relations and cross-Straits peace and stability."  

When asked about whether the prospect of Elon Musk playing important role in the Trump administration will potentially be a positive factor for China-US relations, Mao stated that China's position on its relations with the US is consistent.

Separately, a spokesperson from China's Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday, responding to a question on Trump being elected as US president, that China is willing to strengthen communication, expand cooperation, and resolve differences with the US based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win to promote the development of China-US economic and trade relations toward a stable, healthy, and sustainable direction, benefiting both countries and the world at large. 

Transition of presidential power 

Campaign of Trump said that the former US president has accepted the invitation from incumbent President Joe Biden to meet at the White House to discuss the transition of presidential power, after Trump was elected as president of the US, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Thursday.

The specific date for the meeting between Trump and Biden has not yet been announced, but a spokesperson for Trump's campaign indicated that the meeting "will take place shortly" and noted that Trump "greatly appreciates" the congratulatory phone call from Biden on Wednesday, according to CCTV.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Wednesday delivered a concession speech at Howard University in Washington, DC, saying that she is proud of the campaign and stressing that "when we lose an election, we accept the results," Xinhua reported.

The vice president emphasized the importance of accepting the election results. She confirmed that she had spoken with Trump and congratulated him on his victory, noting that her administration would facilitate a peaceful transfer of power. 

US Justice Department officials have been evaluating how to wind down the two federal criminal cases against Trump before he takes office to comply with long-standing department policy that a sitting president can't be prosecuted, two people familiar with the matter told NBC News, CCTV reported.

People receive on the street an extra edition of the Yomiuri Shimbun announcing Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election, in Nagoya City, Japan on November 6, 2024. Photo: VCG

Phone calls from other leaders

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he had a phone call with Trump, and both sides agreed to maintain close dialogue and strengthen cooperation, according to CCTV. 

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Trump held their first telephone talks on Thursday, following Trump's victory, the Japan Times reported. The call lasted about five minutes, with Ishiba telling reporters he had congratulated Trump on his victory and the two allied leaders agreeing to meet soon to "elevate the Japan-US alliance to an even higher level," said the Japanese media. 

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol also spoke to Trump on Thursday and congratulated him on winning the US presidency with the "Make America Great Again" slogan and expressed hope for continued collaboration with the US under his leadership, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo told reporters, according to the Korea Times. 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that it is not appropriate to discuss Trump's future policy toward Russia, as the positions of presidential candidates during the campaign do not always align with their policies once they take office. Currently, US-Russia relations are at a historical low, but the Russian side is open to dialogue, according to CCTV. 

"It is almost impossible to worsen the Russia-US ties further, as relations are at their historically lowest point. What happens next will depend on the next US leadership," said Peskov, CCTV reported.