BEIJING: China has finally congratulated United States President-elect Joe Biden on Friday almost a week after he was declared the winner of the American election.
“We respect the choice of the American people. We express our congratulations to Mr Biden and Ms Harris,” said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin at a regular press briefing, referring to incoming vice president Kamala Harris.
Previously, it was believed that China was purposely delaying the congratulatory statement in order to sow division within the US and its electoral process.
Critics believe that Trump had been emboldened to question his defeat after China delayed their congratulatory statement.
Wang said China understands “the result of the US election will be determined in accordance with US laws and procedures”.
US-China ties have grown increasingly strained in recent years under the administration of incumbent Donald Trump, and relations are as icy as at any time since formal ties were established four decades ago.
Trump has termed the coronavirus as the ‘Chinese Virus’.
