Can diplomatic charisma prevent crises from escalating? Does the CCP feel conflicted about aligning with the likes of Iran and North Korea? What’s the use of communicating during a great power competition?
To find out, ChinaTalk interviewed R. Nicholas Burns, Biden’s Ambassador to China, whose diplomatic career spans 35 years and 8 countries.
We discuss…
- Kissinger’s experience negotiating with the CCP,
- Why China’s negotiating tactics are so different from those of the Soviet Union,
- How European allies are helping to push back against Chinese aggression,
- Great power responsibilities, and whether Chinese leaders truly appreciate the reputational costs of helping the Russians and the Houthis,
- Biden’s victories with new partners in the Pacific,
- How diplomats express consequences and draw red lines during international crises,
- Areas of mutual interest where the U.S. and China can still engage productively,
- The importance of specialists in the Foreign Service.
Outro music:
Óró Mo Bháidín - Mary O’Hara
Auld Lang Syne - Rendition by The Irish Rovers, originally written by Robert Burns
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
