In a rare bit of good news this week, Reuters is reporting that Biden has nominated Nicholas Burns, an experienced and respected diplomat to serve as US Ambassador to China.
In a break with the practice of making political appointments, this is a good and important choice for what is a critical foreign relations role of strategic importance to both countries and the world community.
Particularly given the the heavy handed — and in my estimation misguided and counterproductive anti-China rhetoric the Administration has relied on since taking office (using competition with China to justify a majority of policy decisions, foreign and domestic) — the selection of Burns signals a more serious and constructive approach to diplomacy might be in the cards.
China has tended to appoint seasoned diplomats of high caliber and standing as their US Ambassadors, while the USA hasn’t had a well-qualified ambassador in this post since Obama appointed Gary Locke, so this should come as a welcome change in the foreign policy establishments of both countries who depend on personal working relationships based on mutual respect to work effectively, something hard to come by of late.
Perhaps China’s recent and unexpected appointment of Qin Gang (秦刚), a polished and experienced diplomat with a conciliatory approach some considered a olive branch from Beijing after a rocky start in 2021, prompted the Biden Administration to reciprocate.
I would note in passing that Burns, Hill and Crocker were my short list for Secretary of State although I doubted any would be picked since long time Biden associate Anthony Blinken was the obvious front-runner and ultimate choice.
Assuming Burns is confirmed — and that is likely — I will look for some change in tone from the Administration on China, which has actually been more hostile than Trump and a cause for concern for those of us following geopolitics in the region.
I can endorse this choice without hesitation. He will represent American interests well, and professionally.
Foreign Policy and Foreign Affairs have not yet weighed in on this nomination, but when they do I will edit to link to their commentary.
Link-o-Rama
CNN — Biden picks Emanuel as ambassador to Japan and Burns as top envoy to China
CNBC — Biden to nominate Nicholas Burns as ambassador to China, Rahm Emanuel to Japan
Burns is the better choice. Emmanuel is a political appointment and his abrasive manner will not play well in Japan, don’t know what they were thinking on that one.
NYT adds some interesting perspective
NYT — Biden Nominates Burns and Emanuel to Be His Ambassadors to China and Japan
Mr. Burns is poised to fill a diplomatic vacuum as an increasingly ideological conflict between China and the United States has led to worsening relations. In March, an extraordinarily tense meeting in Anchorage between top Chinese and American diplomats devolved into public renunciations.
Around that time, Mr. Biden had been deciding between Mr. Emanuel and Mr. Burns to be his ambassador to China, one of the most important embassy postings. He told people he was interested in choosing a “principal” who would send a different sort of message than a career diplomat would, people involved in the process said.
The diplomatic world, however, was pushing for Mr. Burns, a career Foreign Service official who has served in both Republican and Democratic administrations, over someone whose background was steeped in domestic politics.
The WaPo, however, put Emanuel in the lede
Biden to nominate Rahm Emanuel to serve as ambassador to Japan
For months, Emanuel and Burns had been reported to land the top diplomatic posts, but the White House did not make the selections public until late Friday afternoon on a week dominated by the chaotic evacuation of Afghanistan. Emanuel has already faced strong pushback from liberal Democrats who criticized his tenure as mayor, specifically how he handled the shooting death of Laquan McDonald, a Black teenager, by a White police officer.
The Guardian also elevates Rahm and, oddly, does not mention Burns at all. Separate article pending?
Biden confirms plan to nominate Rahm Emanuel as ambassador to Japan
The longtime Democratic politician joins a long list of ambassadors nominated by Biden who are awaiting confirmation hearings and confirmation by the US Senate.
The White House has grown increasingly frustrated about the slow pace of confirmations for nearly 300 of Biden’s nominees, with many nominations being held up by Senator Ted Cruz and other Republican senators to register frustration over various issues.
Some Republicans could support Emanuel, who shares some of the same political donors, but his nomination will likely anger some Democrats given his “poor track record on racial justice and past efforts to undermine the party’s progressive wing,” said Jeff Hauser, director of the Revolving Door Project advocacy group.
H/T to samanthab for noting the bolded part.
From the region
SCMP — Long-time diplomat Nicholas Burns to be nominated as US ambassador to China
The selection of Burns, who served in the US State Department for more than three decades in high-level positions in Republican and Democrat administrations, was widely expected, and it sends an important message to China and US allies, analysts said.
“This is the most predictable development in an unpredictable relationship,” said Jeffrey Moon, head of China Moon Strategies and former consul general in Chengdu. “He’s a diplomat’s diplomat, an outstanding choice who will be warmly received by everyone, by Congress; professional diplomats will be encouraged.
“And this is a good positive step forward in the US-China relationship, and a good signal to the Chinese government that the US wants to engage seriously and positively.
Finally, the Chinese response. CGTN is China’s international news channel, so represents the mainstream. The general conclusion is Chinese view Burns as a well-qualified diplomat and look forward to a productive relationship. I think it’s worth a view. The reporter Tian Wei has been working internationally for years and was a key reporter for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars for the duration. Her landing page has some interesting interviews this week, including this with Jeffry Sachs, as usual he is passionately anti-war.
Debate.