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New Chinese Ambassador to US Acknowledges Challenges in Relations


Xie Feng, China's new ambassador to the United States, addresses the media as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, May 23, 2023.
Xie Feng, China's new ambassador to the United States, addresses the media as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, May 23, 2023.

China's new ambassador to Washington, Xie Feng, said on Tuesday that he will seek to enhance China-U.S. cooperation, but that relations face serious challenges.

"I have come here to safeguard China's interest. This is my sacred responsibility," Xie told reporters after landing at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

"I'm also the envoy of Chinese people, so I've come here to enhance China-U.S. exchanges and cooperation," said Xie, who has garnered a reputation for often blunt rebukes of U.S. actions as ties between the strategic rivals have deteriorated over issues ranging from Taiwan to trade.

Xie, 59, who most recently served as a vice foreign minister charged with overseeing policy toward the U.S., fills the post as, many analysts say, relations between the world's two largest economies are in the worst state since they were formally established in 1979.

Relations face "serious difficulties and challenges," Xie said in remarks before departing the airport and boarding a van. Chinese officials said he would drive to Washington.

A fluent English speaker who was previously posted twice to China's Washington embassy, Xie lodged China's formal denunciation in February for Washington "obstinately" shooting down what it suspected was a Chinese spy balloon after its flight over the United States spurred a diplomatic crisis.

Beijing has argued it was a civilian airship.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the U.S. welcomed Xie's arrival.

"We look forward to working with the ambassador designate and his team," Miller said. "We remain committed, as we said on a number of occasions, to maintain channels of communication with the PRC (People's Republic of China) to responsibly manage competition."

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    Reuters

    Reuters is a news agency founded in 1851 and owned by the Thomson Reuters Corporation based in Toronto, Canada. One of the world's largest wire services, it provides financial news as well as international coverage in over 16 languages to more than 1000 newspapers and 750 broadcasters around the globe.

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