China congratulates Biden, but few US policy changes seen

BEIJING (AP) — China on Friday became one of the last major countries to congratulate US President-elect Joe Biden, who is expected to make few changes to US policy in conflicts with Beijing over trade, technology and security.

China, along with Russia, avoided joining the throng that congratulated Biden last weekend after he and vice presidential running mate Kamala Harris secured enough Electoral College votes to unseat President Donald Trump.

“We respect the choice of the American people,” said a foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin.

“We congratulate Mr Biden and Ms Harris.”

Wang gave no reason for the delay but said, “the result will be confirmed according to U.S. laws and procedures.”

US-Chinese relations have plunged to their lowest level in decades amid a tariff war over Beijing’s technology ambitions and trade surplus, accusations of spying and tension over human rights, the coronavirus pandemic, Hong Kong and control of the South China Sea.

Trump labelled China a security threat and imposed export curbs and other sanctions on Chinese companies.

On Thursday, he stepped up those sanctions by issuing an order that bars Americans from investing in securities issued by companies US officials say are owned or controlled by the Chinese military.

Forecasters had said even if lost his re-election bid, Trump was likely to try to increase pressure on Beijing before he leaves office on January 20.

Political analysts expect Biden to try to resume cooperation with Beijing on climate change, North Korea, Iran and the coronavirus.

And they say Biden might pursue a more traditional, predictable policy toward China.

However, economists and political analysts expect few big changes due to widespread frustration with Beijing’s trade and human rights record and accusations of spying and technology theft.

“A tough stance on China has broad support across the US political spectrum,” Louis Kuijs of Oxford Economics said in a report this week.

“Biden’s own pronouncements and policy program suggest he will continue to try to maintain the US technological lead and to attract manufacturing activity.”

Some forecasters suggest the change from Trump, who rejected multilateral alliances, to Biden might increase pressure on China if Washington forms a coalition with other developed countries to push for policy changes.

China has tried to recruit Germany, France, South Korea and other governments as allies against Washington but all have refused.

They criticised Trump’s trade tactics of surprise tariff hikes, which also were used against allies, but echo US complaints that China is violating its free-trade commitments.

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