Chinese Media Hopes to Communicate with Biden Team for Restoration of Bilateral Relations

Priority Dialogue on Climate Change and Infectious Diseases
Xi Jinping's Election Congratulatory Message May Serve as Communication Opportunity

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese media emphasized the need to restore the tense bilateral relationship by mentioning the resumption of dialogue with the new U.S. administration's diplomatic and security team under Joe Biden. This is interpreted as a message expressing hope for dialogue with the 'Biden new administration.' The possibility of opening communication channels between China's diplomatic line and Biden's new diplomatic and security team has greatly increased.

China's state-run Global Times reported on the 25th that the Biden era has begun, and China should restore bilateral communication channels with President-elect Biden's new diplomatic and security team.

The Global Times praised the Biden administration for having more professionalism, rationality, and practicality compared to the Donald Trump administration. It advised that the two countries should prioritize communication on the global common challenge of climate change. The argument is that communication should start with areas where dialogue is possible rather than on contentious issues such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations at China Foreign Affairs University, said, "The new Biden diplomatic and security team is an elite group with intellectual thinking," adding, "President-elect Biden's approach will differ from President Trump's approach, which emphasized America First and protectionism."

However, he pointed out that caution is needed as there is no change in the U.S. basic principle that China is a strategic competitor. It is expected that the new U.S. administration will further strengthen alliances to curb China's influence in Europe and Asia.

Xian Chenghao, a U.S. researcher at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said, "The Biden team consists of familiar faces, but this does not mean a return to the Obama approach," and predicted, "The Biden team is likely to balance between Trumpism and a return to the Obama era."

The Global Times, citing U.S. experts, reported, "If communication channels are restored, suspended diplomatic work will resume," and "the restoration of China-U.S. relations will benefit both countries."

The Global Times also mentioned the congratulatory message from Chinese leadership including Xi Jinping to Biden's election. The media stated, "After Biden's election is finally confirmed, it is highly likely that an official congratulatory message from the Chinese leadership will be delivered," and "the congratulatory message could serve as an opportunity for communication between the two countries."