Xi among world leaders to congratulate former US president after he seals comeback

Republican Donald Trump claimed victory on Nov 6 in a tightly contested race against Vice-President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, to become the 47th president of the United States.

US media reported that Trump had secured more than the 270 Electoral College votes needed to clinch the presidency.

Trump, in a speech delivered early on Nov 6 at his election headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida, promised to heal the nation.

“We are going to help our country heal,” he said. “We have a country that needs help, and it needs help very badly. We’re going to fix our borders. We’re going to fix everything about our country.”

World leaders sent congratulations after Trump claimed victory, signaling his political comeback four years after leaving the White House.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Nov 7 extended congratulations to Trump, urging the two countries to find the right way to get along in the new era.

Xi called for the two countries to strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

History teaches that China and the US gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, said Xi, noting that a stable, sound and sustainable China-US relationship serves the two countries’ shared interests and meets the aspiration of the international community.

He expressed the hope that the two sides will uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences and expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

On the same day, Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng also extended congratulations to J.D. Vance on his election as vice president of the US.

French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders of member countries of the European Union also congratulated Trump, saying they were ready to work together but would defend Europe’s interests.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office that Trump’s “return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America”.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he looked forward to renewing collaboration with Trump.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba congratulated Trump and expressed his wish “to take the Japan-US alliance and Japan-US relationship to new heights”.

In Russia, the Kremlin reacted cautiously after Trump declared victory, saying the US was still a hostile state.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump had made some important statements about wanting to end the Ukraine crisis during his campaign, but only time would tell if they lead to action.

Peskov said he was not aware of any plans by President Vladimir Putin to congratulate Trump.

When asked whether the outcome of the US general election would affect China’s US policy, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at the daily news briefing on Nov 6 that China’s policy on the US has remained consistent. “China will continue to view and handle China-US relations under the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation,” Mao said.

Yang Ran in Beijing and agencies contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at yifanxu@chinadailyusa.com