Burns approved as US envoy to China

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Burns approved as US envoy to China, urged to act dutifully rather than an agent lecturing on US values

Career diplomat Nicholas Burns finally won US Senate approval to become the new ambassador to China after the post was left vacant for nearly 14 months. Chinese analysts said that against the backdrop of tense China-US relations, it is hard to expect the new ambassador to push for breakthroughs. They also warned Burns should act dutifully as an ambassador that is supposed to promote bilateral ties instead of trying to play an agent of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to lecture China on human rights issues or promote US values. 

The majority of US senators on Thursday backed the confirmation of President Joe Biden's nomination of Nicholas Burns to be ambassador to China. It was not immediately clear when Burns would head for China, Reuters reported on Thursday.

Burns, 65, is a career diplomat who has served under both Democratic and Republican presidents. He previously served as US ambassador to NATO and Greece. From 2005 to 2008, Burns also served as undersecretary of state for political affairs.

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