Washington/Beijing: On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping became the most recent world leader to congratulate US President-elect Joe Biden.
As reported by Xinhua news agency, he said in his message of congratulations: “Promoting the stable and healthy development of China-US relations is not only in the fundamental interests of both people, but also meets the common expectation of the international community. I hope to see the two sides uphold the spirit of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, and focus on cooperation while managing and controlling disputes.”
On Wednesday, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan additionally sent a celebratory message to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Xinhua reported.
Almost seven days after Biden and Harris delivered their triumph speeches after they were projected winners even as President Donald Trump wouldn’t concede and kept on alleging fraud, a Chinese Foreign Ministry representative had, on November 13, extended congratulations to the Democratic winners, but noted that the result would be “ascertained in accordance with US laws and procedures.”
With Xi’s congratulations, Russian President Vladimir Putin is the only huge leader who is yet to congratulate Biden.
On Sunday, the Russian President had said that he is still not prepared to recognise Biden as the winner of the US presidential election, yet is prepared to “work with any individual who has the confidence of the American people”.
He said that confidence can only be given to a candidate whose victory has been recognised by the opposing party, or after the results are confirmed in a legitimate, legal way.
He added that the decision to not congratulate Biden was “a formality” with no ulterior motives.
Inquired as to whether this would strain relations, Putin said that he believed that relations among the US and Russia have already been ruined.
with IANSinputs
