On January 26, local time, US Deputy Secretary of State Sherman posted a message through social media that the agency had held a swearing-in ceremony for the new ambassador to China, Burns. The news marks that the new ambassador to China can finally take up his post in Beijing since the departure of the former U.S. ambassador to China in October 2020. Of course, when Burns will come, there is no further news at this time.
Compared with the United States, the Chinese side is moving much faster. On June 23 last year, Cui Tiankai left his post and returned to China, just over a month later, on July 28, Qin Gang went to the United States to become the eleventh Chinese ambassador to the United States. The rotation of ambassadors takes a month for China and more than a year for the United States.
It is very meaningful to compare the two ambassadors, see how Qin Gang performed his duties, and predict how Burns would perform his duties.
Qin Gang's process of performing his duties can be simply described as: practicing courage in Beijing, conducting research in Shanghai, going to the United States with the blessings of colleagues, being warmly welcomed, and then actively devoting himself to his work and continuing to drum and shout for the healthy development of Sino-US relations.
Practicing bile in Beijing was revealed by Qin Gang himself, which also made the outside world feel very fresh. Qin Gang revealed that before he went to the United States to take office, he was invited to visit Universal Studios Beijing. When he saw the roller coaster of the most exciting facilities in the studio, he remembered the Sino-US relations in recent years, so he decided to "sit first and respect" it. The studio asked: Are you sure you want to sit? Qin Gang said, "A must!" This is my last test before I become China's ambassador to the United States. So I went up, and the roller coaster went up and down, and the sharp bends were upside down, which made people very nervous, but I could bear it. In the end, the roller coaster returned to the original track steadily, landed smoothly, and I passed the last test before working in the United States. ”
Qin Gang set off from Shanghai for the United States. Before setting off, he did intensive research in Shanghai. According to media reports, he visited the site of the First Congress of the Communist Party of China and tweeted a speech entitled "Stay true to our original aspiration and keep my mission firmly in mind." He visited the auditorium of the Jin Jiang Hotel in Shanghai, the birthplace of the Sino-US Joint Communiqué, and encouraged himself to "Let's get going again." He also met with executives of American enterprises to solicit opinions and suggestions on Sino-US economic and trade exchanges.
At 1:40 a.m. Beijing time on July 29, 2021, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying sent a blessing through Twitter: "Safe and smooth journey across the Pacific!" A safe and smooth journey across the Pacific Ocean! All the best to Ambassador Qin Gang ）”。 The tweet was accompanied by a 36-second video of Qin just boarding the plane and waving goodbye to the sender at the hatch.
After Qin Just went to the United States to take office, the board of directors of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations held a welcome meeting for him. Due to the epidemic, the welcome meeting was held by video, and the participants included former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lu, former US Trade Representative Hills, and Orens, president of the National Committee on US-China Relations. In his speech, Qin Gang put forward three suggestions on how To develop Sino-US relations on the right track: clarify the bottom line and respect each other; maintain dialogue and manage differences; eliminate interference and focus on cooperation.
After that, Qin Gang threw himself into his busy work, participated in various meetings and activities, and advocated for the healthy development of Sino-US relations. His most recent public event was a Jan. 21 acknowledgment plaque and a commemorative jacket from the Massachusetts Port Authority and the North American International Dockers Association at the Chinese Embassy in the United States. In March 2002, China COSCO Group launched a direct route from Chinese mainland to Boston Harbor. The route has created a total of 400,000 jobs and has become a highlight of Sino-US economic and trade exchanges.
Compared with Qin Gang, the incoming U.S. ambassador to China Burns is more high-profile and extremely tough.
According to the relevant regulations of the United States, the ambassador to China must undergo an on-site interview (hearing) in the United States Congress. On October 20, 2021, US time, the hearing was held in the US Congress. In publishing his own performance plan and answering questions from lawmakers, Burns said on the one hand that it is necessary to establish communication channels with China, hoping that US congressmen will visit China more after the epidemic, and hoping that the two heads of state will maintain regular phone calls.
What is even more incredible is that when it comes to the Taiwan issue, Burns mentions the "Taiwan Relations Act" no less than ten times, occasionally mentions the "one-China policy," and stealthily changes the concept of describing the "three joint communiques" between China and the United States as "three joint statements." Burns was a veteran diplomat and could not have been unaware of the difference between a "joint communiqué" and a "joint statement." This is an obvious, malicious statement.
Burns behaved in this way at the hearing, and Chinese public opinion was in an uproar. The Global Times commented one after another to express dissatisfaction, "In this tone, Burns came to China to touch the nails", "Washington arranged three cannons for Burns to send off", "After the new US ambassador comes to China, you can first look at the comments of netizens."
Slightly different from the media expression of dissatisfaction, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's statement is relatively mild and rational. On October 21, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin advised Mr. Burns at a regular press conference to "clearly understand the general trend of world development and the aspirations of the people, objectively understand China's actual situation, rationally view China's development and Sino-US relations, do not underestimate the strong determination and firm will of the Chinese people to defend their rights, say more constructive words, do more constructive things, and play a constructive role in promoting Sino-US relations and friendship between the two peoples." ”
Now, Mr. Burns is coming.
How should he perform his duties? How will he perform his duties?
The answer is already the "three constructions" that Wang Wenbin advised: Say more constructive words, do more constructive things, and play a constructive role in promoting Sino-US relations and friendship between the two peoples.
As for how he will perform his duties, when he comes, the answer will be there.