China congratulates Biden on his victory, says 'we respect the choice of the American people'
China's government has been slower than most countries in recognizing President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election, but early Friday — almost a week after U.S. news organizations called the race for Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris — Beijing issued a carefully worded congratulatory message. "We respect the choice of the American people," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press briefing. "We congratulate Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris." He added, "At the same time, the result will be confirmed according to U.S. laws and procedures."
Biden has already been speaking with allied world leaders, and he and Pope Francis talked on the phone Thursday. But Beijing's cautious response was interpreted as either hedging its bets in case President Trump found some way to reverse the results, or perhaps expressing displeasure about the very idea of peaceful transfers of power. But the Chinese government hadn't entirely sat this out. About the time Biden was projected to be the winner, the state-run People's Daily tweeted a sassy response to Trump's claim of victory.
Trump has not conceded.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Judge rejects Elon Musk's $56B pay package again
Speed Read Judge Kathaleen McCormick upheld her rejection of the Tesla CEO's unprecedented compensation deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
French government poised to fall amid budget fight
Speed Read Far-right and leftist opposition parties both filed motions of no confidence against Prime Minister Michel Barnier
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden arrives in Angola for historic Africa visit
Speed Read The president intends to strengthen U.S. ties with Africa and counter China's dominance in the region
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
French government poised to fall amid budget fight
Speed Read Far-right and leftist opposition parties both filed motions of no confidence against Prime Minister Michel Barnier
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden arrives in Angola for historic Africa visit
Speed Read The president intends to strengthen U.S. ties with Africa and counter China's dominance in the region
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden pardons son Hunter
Speed Read Joe Biden has spared his son Hunter a possible prison sentence for felony gun and tax convictions
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump says he wants loyalist Kash Patel to lead FBI
Speed Read The former federal prosecutor served in senior national security roles in Trump's first administration
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel and Hezbollah agree to ceasefire
Speed Read Both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Khan supporters converge on Islamabad
Speed Read Protesters clashing with Pakistani authorities are demanding the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Prosecutor drops federal cases against Trump
Speed Read Special counsel Jack Smith requested to drop the charges against President-elect Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump completes Cabinet selections
Speed Read The president-elect's latest picks include Scott Bessent and Lori Chavez-DeRemer
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published