China PRAISES Trump's choice of ambassador days after The Donald blasts Beijing on Twitter
CHINA has branded Donald Trump's US ambassador to Beijing an "old friend" following reports Terry Branstad accepted the President-elect's offer for the position.
china praised Donlad Trump's selection for ambassador just days after he blasted the country
Deputy executive director of the billionaire's transition team confirmed there was "talk" of Mr Branstad, Iowa governor, taking the role, claiming he may join Mr Trump at a planned appearance on Thursday in a state visit.
And now Chinese officials have praised the selection of Mr Branstad for the role, just days after White House officials hastily reassured Beijing the US agrees with the "one China" policy following Mr Trump's meeting with the Taiwanese leader.
Beijing's foreign ministry spokesman, Lu Kang, said: "We welcome him to play a greater role in advancing the development of China-US relations."
Mr Branstad's appointment could help ease trade relations between the world's two biggest agricultural producers, according to trade experts.
The Iowa governor called Xi Jinping a "long-time friend" when the Chinese president visited the state in February 2012, just nine months before he became the country's leader.
White House reassures China over Trump's chat with Taiwan
China described Terry Branstad as an 'old friend'
The move also suggests the President-elect could be prepared to take a softer stands towards the world's second-largest economy, trade experts said.
This really sends a message that Donald Trump wants to handle China at the bilateral relationship level
Tensions have been worsening since Trump, who said he intends to declare China a currency manipulator when he gets into office and threatened to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese goods coming into the US, beat Hillary Clinton in last month's election.
China is one of Iowa's biggest export markets, meaning Mr Branstad is well-placed to deal with trade issues between the two countries, an expert on Chinese politics said.
Trump was congratulated by the President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, after his victory
Professor Huang Jing, from the National University of Singapore, said: "This really sends a message that Donald Trump wants to handle China at the bilateral relationship level."
Beijing's praise comes after the business tycoon breached political protocol by having the conversation with president Tsai Ing-wen, inflaming relations with the Chinese.
Did China ask us if it was OK to devalue their currency (making it hard for our companies to compete), heavily tax our products going into..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2016
their country (the U.S. doesn't tax them) or to build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea? I don't think so!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2016
The outspoken billionaire later tweeted: "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!"
The "one China" policy follows Beijing’s stance of not recognising special territories, including Taiwan, Hong Kong an Macau as independent but as part of China.
But Mr Trump appeared irked by the speculation surrounding the call and the negative response from China, as he later tweeted: "Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call."