With the Inauguration of the Biden Administration... Chinese Foreign Ministry Says "Sino-US Relations Must Return to Normal Track"

"Firm Retaliation Warned If China's Sovereignty and Development Interests Are Harmed"

U.S. President Joe Biden, who was Vice President at the time, is shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping in December 2013.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Chinese government has sent congratulations to the newly inaugurated Joe Biden administration in the United States, expressing the message that the US-China relationship must be restored to a normal track together with China. It also added a warning that it will not tolerate continued pressure on China.

According to the Global Times on the 21st, Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing that "We hope President Biden successfully governs the country," and "China hopes that the new US administration will view China objectively and rationally, cooperate in the spirit of mutual respect, equality, and 'win-win,' manage conflicts, and restore Sino-US relations to a healthy and stable development track."

Spokesperson Hua expressed hope that the US-China relationship, which had reached an extreme under the Donald Trump administration, would improve, but warned that if the US continues to pressure China, it will respond directly. She said that China does not want conflict and confrontation, and believes that if both countries sincerely manage conflicts properly, the potential of bilateral relations is limitless, but "at the same time, if China's sovereignty, security, and development interests are damaged, we will resolutely counterattack."

Regarding China's announcement early that day to sanction 28 anti-China US figures who seriously infringed on China's sovereignty in line with President Biden's inauguration, Hua said, "It is entirely justified and a necessary measure, demonstrating the Chinese government's determination to safeguard national interests."

Hua criticized the Trump administration for seriously interfering in China's internal affairs and damaging China's interests over the past four years. Regarding the attendance of Taiwan's representative to the US, who acts as Taiwan's de facto ambassador to the US, at Biden's inauguration?an invitation extended for the first time in 42 years since the US severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan?she said, "China firmly opposes official exchanges between the US and Taiwan." She also added that the Chinese Embassy in the US received an invitation to the inauguration and has already extended congratulations to President Biden.

Furthermore, regarding President Biden's signing of the document to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, she said, "We welcome the US's return to the Paris Climate Agreement."