China’s Ambassador to the U.S. Cui Tiankai has announced that he will leave Washington after eight years describing U.S.-China relations as at a “critical crossroads” as the U.S. recalibrates its engagement policies.
In a farewell statement, Cui wrote: “Sino-U.S. relations are at a critical crossroads, and the U.S.’s China policy is undergoing a new round of restructuring, facing a choice between dialogue and cooperation, or confrontation and conflict.
“At this moment, overseas Chinese in the United States shoulder a greater responsibility and mission. I hope you will continue to be a firm promoter and positive contributor to the healthy and stable development of Sino-U.S. relations, and defend your right to be in the U.S. … and safeguard the fundamental interests of the Chinese and American people to promote world peace, stability and prosperity.”
Shortly before his departure, Ambassador Cui met with returning Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov, symbolizing, among other things, the closeness of the two countries’ relationship.
Qin Gang, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs under Foreign Minister Wang Yi, is widely expected to replace Cui. Qing Gang had spent most of his career in Europe, while the new Ambassador to Great Britain Zheng Zeguang spent most of his diplomatic career in the U.S. These appointments also caught many of the Chinese diplomats by surprise, but obviously, in the tense political situation existing in the world today, perhaps it is seen as more advantageous to have more international “outreach” potential, if tensions rise. And there is no doubt a clear understanding of the specificity of this “Anglo-American relationship” in that regard.
