The US ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, highlighted the ongoing “battle of ideas” between democracy and authoritarianism in a recent discussion at Manhattan’s Asia Society. He emphasized the need for the United States to strengthen alliances with China’s neighbors in response to the aggressive and repressive behavior of the Chinese regime in 2024.
Burns pointed out that the current dynamic with China is vastly different from the past, with the regime becoming more aggressive and dismissive of its neighbors while escalating its suppression of people within China. He emphasized the importance of changing the environment around China by strengthening US alliances in the Indo-Pacific, working with the European Union, investing in the US industrial base, and defending national interests in areas such as human rights, technology, and trade.
Highlighting Chinese transgressions, Burns mentioned military coercion towards US partners in the Indo-Pacific and the regime’s involvement in territorial disputes with countries like the Philippines and Malaysia. He noted that tensions with the US did not trigger the Chinese regime’s aggressive behavior, but rather that the regime has a different view and is contesting borders, presenting a profound security challenge.
On the ideological front, Burns discussed China’s efforts to control narratives abroad through initiatives like the Confucius Institutes, which have faced scrutiny and shutdowns due to concerns of espionage. He described this as part of a larger “battle of ideas” in which the Chinese regime seeks to undermine the international order led by the US.
Despite challenges such as Chinese state propaganda and censorship, Burns emphasized the US’s obligation to engage in a peaceful battle of ideas and uphold democratic values. He welcomed criticism and dialogue, highlighting the contrast between the freedom of expression in the US and the lack thereof in China. Please rephrase.
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