Cui looks for smooth transition, steady ties

China looks forward to further strengthening ties with the United States after President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan 20, according to Cui Tiankai, the Chinese ambassador in Washington.

"What we want to see in China is a smooth transition and continued growth of our bilateral relations, so that we can bring even greater benefits to our two peoples," he said in an interview on Friday with CNN's Christiane Amanpour.

President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Trump after his election victory on Wednesday. Vice-President Li Yuanchao also congratulated Mike Pence, the US vice-president-elect.

Asked about Trump's campaign rhetoric, such as a pledge to impose a 45 percent tariff on Chinese imports and branding China a currency manipulator, Cui said bilateral relations are based on growing common interests and cited cooperation in a range of areas, including the global economy, trade and investment, energy and counterterrorism.

Both countries have greatly benefited from increased cooperation in recent decades, the diplomat said, adding that common interests "will determine the future direction of this relationship".

Trump talked about the tariff early in his campaign but has not mentioned this in recent months. It is believed such a tariff would not only violate World Trade

chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com