BEIJING: The US Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, has criticized Beijing, accusing the Chinese government of obstructing efforts to enhance ties between ordinary Chinese and American citizens.
In an interview published by the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, Burns expressed frustration over what he described as Beijing’s systematic efforts to hinder engagement and fuel anti-American sentiment.
Tensions between the United States and China have continued over the past years, spanning issues ranging from trade and technology and global geopolitical conflicts such as Russia’s war in Ukraine. Despite a meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco last year, efforts to stabilize relations have been marred by ongoing disputes.
Burns told the publication that Chinese authorities have discouraged Chinese citizens from attending public events organized by the US embassy, citing incidents where participants faced intimidation and late-night interrogations at their homes. He highlighted an instance where a venue abruptly cancelled an embassy concert, only to host other events on consecutive nights.
“They say they are in favor of reconnecting our two populations, but they are taking dramatic steps to make it impossible,” Burns stated, reflecting on Beijing’s actions.
Burns raised concerns about what he described as the Chinese government’s aggressive efforts to distort American society, history, and policies through state-controlled media and online platforms.
“It happens every day on all the networks available to the government here, and there’s a high degree of anti-Americanism online,” Burns remarked.
The Chinese government did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment on Burns’ allegations. Beijing has previously accused Washington of restricting the movements of Chinese diplomats in the US and implementing policies aimed at containing China’s global influence.
The US Embassy in Beijing also refrained from immediate comment on Burns’ interview with the Wall Street Journal.
