The US ambassador to China has revealed that Washington and Beijing are engaging in more frequent discussions to prevent conflict in the South China Sea, despite their competitive relationship. Nicholas Burns emphasized the need to avoid misunderstandings as their militaries operate closely in the region, including the Taiwan Strait.

Tensions have escalated over Beijing’s territorial claims, impacting relations with Taiwan, the Philippines, and the US, which has pledged support for its allies in the area. Recent incidents, such as a confrontation between Chinese coastguard and Philippine forces, highlight the volatile situation.

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Mr. Burns acknowledged that these issues remain significant points of disagreement between the two sides, emphasizing the importance of fostering dialogue where possible. He highlighted the agreement with China to enhance military communications as crucial for preventing accidents or misunderstandings that could escalate into conflict.

Despite recent de-escalation of tensions, Mr. Burns expressed concerns that the upcoming US presidential election could strain the relationship again. He underscored US warnings to China against interference in the election, stating that such involvement is a major concern for the US.

Earlier this year, FBI officials indicated China’s ongoing efforts to create divisions and potentially spread disinformation online. The US ambassador noted FBI evidence of cyber aggression from Chinese authorities, which Beijing denies, stating it is also a victim of such cybercrime.

Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump aim to adopt tough stances on Beijing, viewing it as politically advantageous. President Biden’s recent imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods, including electric cars and solar panels, was described by Ambassador Burns as an economic decision to protect American jobs, denying any influence from domestic politics.

Despite the rivalry, there are positive developments: Ambassador Burns had discussions with China’s climate envoy on reducing emissions, and high-level talks are ongoing to combat the flow of fentanyl into the US, which he emphasized as crucial.

Most of Ambassador Burns’ meetings are with ministers; meetings with President Xi are reserved for senior US officials like Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Both sides aim to increase “people-to-people” exchanges, amidst a decline in US students studying in China.

President Xi hopes to host 50,000 American students in China within five years, emphasizing mutual exchanges and cooperation. However, Ambassador Burns criticized parts of the Chinese government for obstructing public diplomacy programs and travel to the US since President Xi’s San Francisco visit.

Chinese students and academics have faced issues at US borders, prompting protests from Beijing. Despite US travel advisories and diplomatic challenges, Burns defended efforts to bridge divides, addressing concerns such as wrongful detentions of Americans in China.

Relations are strained further by China’s visa policies and its stance on the Ukraine conflict, where the US asserts Beijing’s support for Russia is unacceptable and has imposed sanctions on Chinese companies involved.

His remarks align with those made by the G7 in Italy recently, accusing China of supporting Russia in a way that facilitates the war in Ukraine. The G7 also threatened additional sanctions targeting Chinese entities allegedly aiding Russia to bypass Western embargoes. Beijing has rejected these accusations as arrogant, prejudiced, and untrue.

Comparatively, current relations mark an improvement from 2022, when Beijing halted all cabinet-level communications with Washington following Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Relations worsened in early 2023 after a US decision to shoot down a Chinese balloon over North American airspace led to Secretary of State Blinken cancelling his planned visit. Stability returned in November last year following a meeting between Presidents Biden and Xi in San Francisco.

Ambassador Burns reflected on his challenging initial years in his role, characterized by minimal communication with Chinese officials. While relations have improved somewhat, he acknowledges a challenging path ahead, describing the rivalry as persisting for the foreseeable future.