China congratulates Joe Biden on his inauguration and calls for 'unity' in US relations

It comes a day after China announced sanctions on more than two dozen members and ex-officials in Donald Trump's administration, including his "lying and cheating" secretary of state Mike Pompeo.

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying Source: FMPRC

China has congratulated US President Joe Biden on his inauguration and called for a reset in relations between Beijing and Washington after a corrosive period of diplomacy under Donald Trump.

Beijing also said it welcomed news that the US would re-join the World Health Organization and the Paris climate accord, as Mr Biden tried to immediately pivot his office back to a key role in global leadership.

The new US president is expected to remain tough on China but commit to international cooperation after Mr Trump's divisive "America First" approach.

"With cooperation from both sides, the better angels in China-US relations will beat the evil forces," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a press briefing on Thursday (local time). 

She said Mr Biden had used the word "unity" several times in his inauguration speech, and that it was "precisely what is needed currently in US-China relations".

Under Mr Trump, tensions with China plunged to a nadir over trade, security, technology, the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and human rights.

In a final dig at the Trump administration, Beijing said on Wednesday it was sanctioning more than two dozen members and ex-officials in the former president’s government, including his "lying and cheating" secretary of state Mike Pompeo.

The officials and their family members will be prohibited from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, the foreign ministry said.

"Over the past few years the Trump administration, especially Pompeo, has buried too many mines in US-China relations that need to be eliminated, burned too many bridges that need to be built, and destroyed too many roads that need to be repaired," said Hua on Thursday.

The move was a sign of China’s anger, especially at an accusation Mr Pompeo made on his final full day in office that China had committed genocide against its Uighur Muslims, an assessment that Mr Biden’s choice to succeed Mr Pompeo, Anthony Blinken, said he shared.

Responding to the allegations, Ms Hua said: “Pompeo has made so many lies in recent years, and this is just another bold-faced lie.”

“This US politician is notorious for lying and cheating, is making himself a laughing stock and a clown.”

With Reuters.