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US-China tensions: Xi Jinping waits to congratulate Joe Biden on election win
- As messages pour in from other world leaders, Chinese foreign ministry says it has ‘taken note of Biden declaring victory’
- Beijing feels it’s ‘not the appropriate time’ to offer congratulations, partly because of strained ties, analyst says
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President Xi Jinping is likely to hold off on congratulating US president-elect Joe Biden, according to Chinese analysts, as messages pour in from world leaders acknowledging his election win.
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Four years ago, Xi joined other leaders in calling Donald Trump just hours after he was declared the winner of the presidential election on November 9, a day after the vote. Xi’s hesitation this time around partly reflects the deep rift between Beijing and Washington, which looks likely to continue regardless of who is in the White House, analysts say.
European leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson are among those who have congratulated Biden since the election was called in his favour on Saturday.
Their messages have come despite vows from Trump to wage a legal battle against the election results, alleging voter fraud, and as his supporters continue to hold rallies across the country in support of the president.
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China waits to congratulate Joe Biden on US election win
China waits to congratulate Joe Biden on US election win
In Beijing on Monday, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin chose his words carefully at a regular press briefing, saying China had “taken note of Biden declaring victory” without referring to the former vice-president as the US president-elect.
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