China dispatched a veteran diplomat known for pushing back against Western criticism to serve as its next ambassador to the U.S., an appointment that suggests Beijing is bracing for a period of prolonged tension with Washington.
Qin Gang, who most recently served as vice foreign minister, arrived in the U.S. Wednesday to fill the post vacated last month by long-time ambassador, Cui Tiankai, according to a statement from the Chinese Embassy.
Qin’s arrival was accompanied by a commentary from the official Xinhua News Agency warning that it was “unrealistic to solve the fundamental differences between the two countries quickly,” and placing the onus on the U.S. to treat China as an equal.