Biden’s Pick for China Envoy Draws Sharp Lines With Beijing

Burns says U.S. has advantages over China’s ‘aggression’
U.S. needs to make Taiwan a ‘tough nut to crack,’ Burns says

Nicholas Burns testifies during a confirmation hearing on his nomination to be Ambassador to China, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 20.Photographer: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

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By Daniel Flatley and Peter Martin

October 20, 2021 at 2:56 PM UTC

Updated on

October 21, 2021 at 8:16 AM UTC

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President Joe Biden’s pick to be ambassador to China drew sharp lines with Beijing over its “aggressive” actions in the Indo-Pacific but said “American strength” gives the U.S. key advantages in the relationship between the world’s two largest economies.

Nicholas Burns, a longtime diplomat who previously served as U.S. ambassador to NATO and Greece, said China has been the aggressor in its relationship with Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines. He also said he’s skeptical about Chinese intentions on issues like 5G technology.