China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that he expects the incoming administration of Donald Trump to take the right steps to restore relations between Washington and Beijing, Reuters reports.
At a forum in Beijing, he stressed:
“We hope the new US administration will make the right choice and work with China in a mutually beneficial way to remove interference and overcome obstacles.“
The statement comes amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries, deepened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donald Trump's remarks on China
Wang Yi's remarks follow those made by President-elect Donald Trump on Monday at his first press conference since his election victory. Speaking to reporters gathered at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump commented on his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping:
“We had a very good relationship before COVID. COVID didn't end our relationship, but for me it was a bridge too long.“
Trump described Xi Jinping as a “friend“ and “an incredible person“, but acknowledged that the pandemic has put significant strain on communication between the two countries.
Context of the strained relationship
The US-China relationship was stable in some areas before the pandemic, but the emergence of COVID-19 has dramatically changed the dynamic:
- Diplomatic rifts: The US has accused China of a lack of transparency about the spread of the virus.
- Economic challenges: Trade disputes and sanctions have further strained ties between the two world powers.
Statements from senior officials on both sides clearly show an attempt to lay the groundwork for a new dialogue.