China urges Biden to rebuild bridges Trump burned during his rule

Beijing, Jan 21 (efe-epa).- China on Thursday congratulated Joe Biden on his inauguration as the new United States president, urging him to reset bilateral ties after years of contentious relationships during Donald Trump’s government

“The Trump administration, especially Pompeo, had burned many bridges that need to be rebuilt, and damaged many roads that need to be fixed,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters in Beijing.

“The two governments should have the courage to listen to and respect each other. If we are determined to fix it, it can be fixed.”

Hua said the Chinese government congratulated Biden and wished him “a successful presidency.”

She said the two countries had to return to the “mutual respect and cooperation” of the pre-Trump era for a “better future” following “a very difficult time in the past.”

“Good angels in China-US relations can defeat evil forces,” Hua said.

Ties between the US and China deteriorated to unprecedented levels during Trump’s rule over several issues, including trade and technology.

Earlier, China imposed sanctions on Mike Pompeo and other officials in Trump’s administration for “violating” its sovereignty, the foreign ministry said in a statement earlier.

“These individuals and their immediate family members are prohibited from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao of China,” the ministry said after the inauguration of Biden.

Containing China’s rise was Trump’s one of many obsessions. His protectionist policies will have to be re-calibrated by his successor as Beijing moves forward with its campaign to expand its networks of influence.

Antony Blinken, Biden’s choice to succeed Pompeo, said on Tuesday that the Trump administration’s approach to Beijing was right, but added that he “disagree very much with the way that he went about it.” EFE-EPA

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