3 Takeaways What US Ambassador to China Nick Burns Saw That Terrified Him (#279)
Dec 9, 2025
Nicholas Burns, former U.S. Ambassador to China and seasoned diplomat, shares chilling insights from his time in Beijing from 2021 to 2025. He discusses the outdated American perceptions of China and highlights its rapid innovation and work ethic. Burns reveals how Chinese leaders misinterpret U.S. political struggles and points out their regime's greatest weakness: a lack of freedoms. The danger of accidental military escalations, especially over Taiwan, is alarming. Ultimately, he underscores the need to compete, cooperate, and preserve peace in the fragile global landscape.
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China Is Now A Tech Innovator
- China's economy now innovates, especially in STEM and clean-tech industries.
- Nicholas Burns warns we must treat China as a genuine technological competitor, not just a copier.
China Misreads American Resilience
- The Chinese government underestimates American resilience and strengths despite visible political dysfunction.
- Burns says the U.S. still benefits from rule of law, corrective mechanisms, and vast private-sector talent.
Xi Listened For 43 Minutes
- Burns recounts a meeting where Xi Jinping listened 43 minutes to six U.S. senators about fentanyl deaths.
- He highlights Xi's habit of listening and then responding thoughtfully to each senator.