The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has congratulated Donald Trump on his projected win.

The ministry said in a statement, “We respect the American people’s choice and offer our congratulations to Mr. Trump for his election.”

Chinese Leader, Xi Jinping is yet to publicly comment on the election results.

The Chinese government sought to present a more neutral stance, calling the election “an internal matter of the United States.”

Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning told a regular news conference, “Our policy toward the United States is consistent.”

“We will continue to view and handle Sino-US relations in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.”
Mao Ning

Trump’s last term saw the Republican slap tariffs on hundreds of billions worth of Chinese goods, launch a campaign against Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and use racist language to describe the virus that causes Covid-19, which was first identified in China.

The past four years under President Joe Biden have seen a tone shift and effort to stabilize communication. But US concern about China’s threat to its national security has only deepened, with Biden targeting Chinese tech industries with investment and export controls, as well as tariffs.

Nonetheless other Asian leaders sent their congratulatory messages.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba congratulated Trump on Wednesday for his victory in the presidential election and said he hopes to get in touch with him as soon as possible to discuss ways to further strengthen Japan-U.S. ties. “I hope to closely cooperate with President-elect Trump to further elevate Japan-U.S. alliance and relations to even higher levels,” Ishiba told reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office.

South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol said that he looked forward to working with Trump. “Under your strong leadership, the future of the ROK-U.S. alliance and America will shine brighter,” Yoon wrote on the social platform X, using the initials of South Korea’s formal name, the Republic of Korea.

In response to growing threats posed by nuclear-armed North Korea, Yoon’s government has worked closely with the Biden administration to strengthen the countries’ combined military exercises and solidify three-way military cooperation with Japan.

More to come…