MNI BRIEF: China Avoiding Trump ​Wrath With Vote Stance

China is maintaining an official diplomatic silence on the outcome of the U.S. election as publically at least, as Beijing clearly doesn't want to unnecessarily rile President Donald Trump, who will remain in office till early next year, a former senior diplomat told MNI.

Noting that countries traditionally allied to Washington, including the U.K., Japan and Australia, have sent congratulatory message to the Democratic candidate, the ex-official said Beijing has a policy of "not interfering other countries domestic affairs".

"Countries who have sent messages are U.S. allies such as Britain for example. What can the U.S. DO to Britain no matter who is in office? China is a different case," he said.

The ex-official noted that China/Biden working-level teams were likely already talking, saying former VP Biden was no stranger to China and communication won't be the problem it has been under Trump.