Chinese people on the streets of Beijing said Monday they were keeping expectations low ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump, as his second White House stint could push China-US ties into a new era of uncertainty.

BEIJING: As Vice-President Han Zheng and Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng watched in a corner of the Capitol rotunda while Donald Trump was sworn in, China was hoping that their presence in Washington would signal a proactive reset of the tumultuous relationship.

Donald Trump unexpectedly held off tariffs on China on his first day back at the White House and did not single it out as a threat, raising the prospect of a rapprochement as both sides look to gain from each other rather than rain harm on an adversary.

Rubio's appointment as secretary of state has been seen as sign that Trump plans to maintain a hard line on China.

President Biden and his team saw China as the one nation with the intent and capability to displace American primacy — and crafted policies to defend U.S. power.

China has a partnership of “no limits” with Russia, and this has proven to be a concern for the west, and particularly Europe. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Nato declared that: “The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values.”

The United States, Australia, India and Japan recommitted to working together on Tuesday, after the first meeting of the China-focused "Quad" grouping's top diplomats since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

China on Wednesday vowed to defend its "national interests" against tariff threats from US President Donald Trump after warned he could impose a 10 percent duty on imports from the country by the end of next week.

United States President Donald Trump said he would be open to billionaire supporter Elon Musk or Oracle Corp Chairman Larry Ellison purchasing social video application TikTok as part of a joint venture with the US government.

Whether it is over TikTok, fentanyl or trade, Beijing might welcome a compromise to buy time to address its ailing economy and bolster its position globally.