China has refuted claims made by the US ambassador regarding Beijing’s alleged hindrance of relations between Chinese and American citizens, dismissing them as inaccurate and counterproductive to bilateral cooperation.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, US Ambassador Nicholas Burns expressed concerns that China was actively impeding engagement between the peoples of the two nations. He cited instances where Chinese authorities purportedly discouraged participation in US embassy events and fostered anti-American sentiment online. Burns described these actions as obstacles to efforts aimed at fostering stronger ties between the United States and China.
Responding to these assertions, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning asserted that Ambassador Burns’ remarks were factually incorrect and diverged from the consensus reached between the leaders of both countries during their meeting in San Francisco. Mao emphasized that such statements did not align with the principles necessary for the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.
Ambassador Burns detailed incidents where Chinese officials allegedly pressured citizens not to attend various public events organized by the US embassy, including instances of intimidating individuals who did attend. He also highlighted specific cases, such as the abrupt cancellation of an embassy-organized concert under dubious circumstances.
In contrast, Mao countered these claims by stating that China has actively promoted cultural exchanges between its citizens and those of the United States. She urged the US to reciprocate efforts and adopt a cooperative approach to enhance mutual understanding and foster positive relations.
The diplomatic exchange underscores ongoing tensions between the world’s two largest economies, which have grappled with disagreements over trade, technology, human rights, and geopolitical issues including Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Despite occasional diplomatic engagements aimed at stabilizing relations, challenges persist in achieving sustained cooperation and understanding between China and the United States.
