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Xi congratulates Trump on inauguration
January 21, 2017, 6:04 pm

Xi had previously made it clear to Trump that China seeks multilateral approaches to trade and security issues [Xinhua]


Chinese President Xi Jinping sent President Donald Trump a congratulatory message on the occasion of his inauguration, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday.

This comes following often tense weeks of back and forth rhetoric between Trump allies and prospective cabinet nominees, and Chinese officials regarding the One China policy.

Trump has for the past several weeks indicated that he might be willing to reexamine the One China policy, which has dictated diplomatic relations between the two countries for the past four decades, in order to secure a better trade arrangement with China.

Chinese officials have rebuked Trump’s transition team repeatedly reminding them that the One China policy is the only avenue of relations between the two countries and that it is non-negotiable.

Just four days ahead of the inauguration, On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said: “The One China principle is the precondition and political basis for any country having relations with China.”

“If anyone attempts to damage the One China principle or if they are under the illusion they can use this as a bargaining chip, they will be opposed by the Chinese government and people,” she added.

Chinese media has been charged in its editorials calling Trump a “rookie” and warning him that any attempt to hinder the success of the One China policy would be “playing with fire”.

The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies