China and US partners are moving closer as Trump returns to the White House

China's relations are starting to improve with Japan, India and other countries that former U.S. President Joe Biden courted, just as Donald Trump brings his more unilateralist approach back to the White House. The change at the top in the United States could be a diplomatic opportunity for China. Beijing has long railed against Biden’s strategy of building partnerships with “like-minded countries,” aimed at countering its growing influence. But the fence-mending is in its early stages and major differences remain that limit or could derail such efforts. Much will depend on what path Trump takes and how the rest of the world reacts.