"We will continue to approach and handle China-US relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press briefing.

"Our policy toward the United States has been consistent," she added.

Mao did not comment directly on the possibility of Trump's re-election, but said "the United States presidential election is an internal affair of the United States".

"We respect the choice of the American people," she said.

"After the US election results are released and officially announced, we will handle related matters in accordance with usual practice," she added when asked if Chinese President Xi Jinping would call Trump to congratulate him.

The US election was closely watched in China.

On Wednesday afternoon, several topics related to Trump's election were among the top trending on the X-like Weibo platform.

"Trump, congratulations! Focus on building your beautiful country and stop thinking about interfering with other countries," one comment read.

Both candidates in this week's race had pledged to get tougher on Beijing, with Trump promising tariffs of 60 percent on all Chinese goods coming into the country.

"My family does foreign trade and their world has just collapsed," read another comment on Douyin with nearly 800 likes.

- Mixed enthusiasm -

Several people in Beijing on Wednesday told AFP they did not care which candidate won and that American politics were "none of their business".

Others said they knew only of Trump's mannerisms, including one young man on a cigarette break who demonstrated one of Trump's go-to dance moves, waving his arms to the beat of YMCA.

But others were convinced people across all industries in China were paying close attention to a second Trump term.

"No matter what industry you're in, people are indeed paying attention to him, what will happen to China next if he comes to power," one man who works in the insurance industry and asked not to be named told AFP.

Trump has proposed a 10-20 percent tariff on all imports and wants an even higher rate of 60 percent on Chinese goods.

"It might be difficult for some foreign trade companies," the insurance worker said. "But according to Chinese wisdom, 'it's better to have a quick pain than a prolonged pain'."

Plus, he added, it doesn't really matter even if Trump does something to "provoke" China.

"It's him for just four years, right?" he said.

- 'Trump is going to be tough' -

In economic powerhouse Shanghai, many locals told AFP they hadn't followed the election, saying the result would not make a difference to China.

"I don't care at all," said Chester Song, the owner of a small eatery, though he said he preferred Trump to rival Kamala Harris as he was a "good businessman".

The election result would have far more of an effect on Americans domestically than on Chinese people, said one woman, who didn't give her name.

Emily, an architect in her 30s, said that generally she thought most people weren't that concerned, and that Harris and Trump were "all the same to her" on a personal level.

But she said she had investments in the Chinese stock market and had noticed a dip in the afternoon as Trump declared victory.

"The last time Trump was in office, there was the trade war... that had a big impact on China's stock market."

"I think Trump is going to be pretty tough," said Jerry, a 31-year-old procurement manager.

"This result also means pretty bad for China because we have faced the trade war in the past, so I'm guessing in the future we are facing that again."

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