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President Xi
Jinping spoke with Trump soon after he won last month's
election, but Beijing has been unsettled by Trump's subsequent
call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, suggestions Trump may
change U.S. policy towards self-ruled Taiwan, and Trump's
threats to impose tariffs on Chinese imports.
In an interview with the ruling Communist Party's official
People's Daily carried on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister
Wang Yi said the Xi-Trump call was a positive sign for a smooth
transition in Sino-U.S. ties.
"Of course, going forward China-U.S. relations will face new
complexities and uncertain factors," Wang said.
"But 'thick mountains could not stop the river from flowing into
the sea'," he added, quoting an ancient Chinese poem Xi had
cited in June at a high-level China-U.S. forum, meaning all
rivers have to travel a meandering course before getting to
their final destination.
"Only if China and the United States respect each and give
consideration to other's core interests and key concerns can
there be long-term, stable cooperation, and effect win-win
mutual benefit," Wang said.
"This is a historical trend that can't be altered by an
individual's will, and is the correct direction for the
development of China-U.S. ties," he added, without mentioning
Trump by name.
One of the priorities for next year is for a smooth transition
in relations between the two countries to "open new cooperative
prospects" and have a more stable, healthy framework for
relations between the great powers, Wang said.
The disputed South China Sea could also be an area of tension
with the new Trump administration.
China this week returned a U.S. underwater drone taken by one of
its naval vessels in the South China Sea last week, an incident
which prompted Trump to accuse China of stealing it.
Wang said defending China's sovereignty was a "sacred mission"
for China's diplomatic work.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry)
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