Xie Feng, China’s new ambassador to the U.S., addresses the media as he arrives at JFK airport in New York Metropolis, Might 23, 2023.
Brendan McDermid | Reuters
China’s new ambassador to the U.S. arrived in New York Tuesday with a name to “safeguard the pursuits of China,” in keeping with a launch from the nation’s embassy within the U.S.
Xie Feng assumes workplace after a interval of about six months through which China has had no ambassador to the U.S. He was most lately a vice overseas minister.
Xie mentioned Tuesday the bilateral relationship faces “severe difficulties and challenges,” and his mission is to “improve China-U.S. exchanges and cooperation,” the discharge mentioned in English.
The U.S. Division of State didn’t instantly reply to a CNBC request for remark.
The prior ambassador, Qin Gang, was promoted in December to develop into China’s new overseas minister. Earlier this month, Qin met U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns in Beijing for the primary time.
Tensions between the 2 international locations escalated in February after the U.S. shot down an alleged Chinese language spy balloon over American airspace. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had deliberate to go to Beijing round that point, however determined to postpone the journey after the balloon incident.
Over the weekend, U.S. President Joe Biden mentioned these tensions would “start to thaw very shortly.”
“We’re not seeking to decouple from China, we’re seeking to de-risk and diversify our relationship with China,” Biden instructed reporters following the Group of Seven assembly in Hiroshima, Japan, in keeping with a White Home transcript.
Probably the most optimistic state of affairs for a ‘thaw’ is just a halt within the decline of relations.
He didn’t talk about potential new guidelines limiting U.S. companies’ funding in superior Chinese language expertise.
“Probably the most optimistic state of affairs for a ‘thaw’ is just a halt within the decline of relations,” Gabriel Wildau, managing director at consulting agency Teneo, mentioned in a be aware. “For monetary markets and multinational firms working in China, nonetheless, such a halt could be vital.”
“Even absent concrete coverage modifications, a normal sense that the downward spiral has stopped may scale back danger perceptions and unlock new funding.”