Experts say that China needs to be careful of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump's unpredictable policies. (Photo : Getty Images)
China needs to be prepared for the unpredictable foreign policy of incoming United States President Donald Trump, experts said.
An Gong, a researcher for the Beijing-based public policy research group Pangoal, said that Trump's choices for his cabinet members mean that his government will likely exercise a tougher political stance, the Global Times reported.
An addded that since a lot of choices are in their 60's, they bring in plenty of experience from their fields.
Some of the surprise picks for Trump's cabinet include General James Mattis, who will be serving as Defense Secretary.
Mattis will be the first serviceman to fill the position since George Marshall in the 1950s. He has combat experience in the Middle East and was a vocal critic of outgoing President Barrack Obama's policies regarding the Islamic State.
Trump's choice for national security adviser also has experts concerned. Former General Michael Flynn's 30-year experience in military intelligence is expected to turn the position into a more influential and important part of the President-elect's cabinet.
Meanwhile, his appointed Secretary of State, Rex Stillerton, is reportedly very close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. An said that such a connection could potentially change the current relations between the U.S. and Russia, something that China needs to pay close attention to.
However, Diao Daming, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute for American Studies, says that it will likely take around a year before the Trump administration can fully establish its policies, as many of the appointees have no prior political experience.
Trump has regularly raised eyebrows in China for his tough stance against the country.
Recently, he again drew flak from Chinese officials after commenting about the country's seizure of a U.S. Navy underwater drone, The Independent reported.
The President-elect has earlier blasted China on his personal Twitter account over the incident, calling it an "unpresidented (unprecedented) act." Trump would later, tweet again about the matter, this time saying that the country should just keep it.
Chinese officials have said that they have already contacted their American counterparts and will be returning the drone "in an appropriate manner."
