Georgia Papathanasios Siemion
Chinese government advisers warned Beijing should plan action in case relations with the United States deteriorate under Biden, including strengthening its military capabilities.
Zheng Tat Kien, former vice president of the Central Party School of China, did not directly mention the United States in his speech at the conference held by the China Institute for Innovation and Development in Guangzhou on November 20.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and US Vice President Joe Biden in the US in 2015 Photo: AP
"The Chinese have a saying 'listen to what they say and see what they do', wait and see how the hegemonic nation will act," said Zheng, longtime adviser to the Chinese government on policy.
China will prepare long-term plans for both scenarios, he added.
Another senior Chinese government adviser, former Chongqing mayor Huang Qifan, said that China should take proactive moves in case the US re-joins the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
In November 2017, the participating countries agreed a new name for the agreement, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Huang pointed out Joe Biden's support for multilateralism and said that China should be prepared for a scenario where he would explore other trade deals that could challenge Chinese interests.
"If the new US administration can compromise with China and resume technology cooperation on a win-win basis, new industries may emerge," Huang said.
China has denied repeated U.S. accusations that it is stealing a wide range of American technology, from the Covid-19 vaccine to quantum computers and unfairly subsidizing its technology companies.
But Mr. Huang said China will continue its efforts to become autonomous in the high-tech sector and self-produce the components it needs.
Trinh did not name Donald Trump in his speech but criticized the final actions of the "coming out of office politician".
The government adviser also said that Beijing should promote the maritime and land networks it is developing under the Belt and Road Initiative.
US-China relations are at their lowest level in decades with tensions over a range of issues such as technology, the South China Sea issue, Xinjiang, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
