China said it will continue to work with the United States based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation shortly after Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election.

A foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, told a regular press conference in Beijing when asked how Mr Trump returning to the Oval Office would affect the U.S.-China relations.

Chinese strategists expect more fiery rhetoric and potentially crippling tariffs from Mr Trump, who has proposed tariffs on Chinese imports over 60 per cent and ending China’s most-favoured-nation trading status.

“Our policy towards the U.S. is consistent. We will continue to view and handle China-U.S. relations following the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation,” she added.

China sells goods worth more than $400 billion annually to the U.S. and hundreds of billions more in components for products Americans buy from elsewhere.

Analysts say the prospect of a trade war has rattled China’s leadership, who have leaned heavily on exports to drive growth as consumers hold off spending in the ailing $19 trillion economy. 

(Reuters/NAN)