The U.S. Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, has criticized Beijing for obstructing efforts to enhance ties between U.S. and Chinese citizens. This comes despite a prior commitment made by Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping to improve relations during their meeting in San Francisco in November 2023.
Burns highlighted that since the meeting, Chinese authorities have pressured citizens to avoid American-organized events, with some attendees facing interrogations at their homes. He detailed instances where events were disrupted, including a concert canceled due to a purported power outage, only for the venue to host other events immediately before and after with no issues.
Burns also expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency regarding the stabbing of four American college instructors in China. He noted a persistent anti-American sentiment being fueled by the Chinese government, both online and through other communication channels.
While senior Biden administration officials have visited China, and there have been symbolic gestures like the sending of panda bears to U.S. zoos, Burns' comments reflect continuing strained relations. The Chinese government did not respond to Burns' remarks, nor did the U.S. Embassy in Beijing comment on the Wall Street Journal interview as of the latest reports.