Qin Gang set to be named China's new ambassador to U.S., as veteran Cui
leaves
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[June 22, 2021]
By Yew Lun Tian
BEIJING (Reuters) -China's longest-serving
ambassador to Washington, Cui Tiankai, said on Tuesday he will be
leaving his post after eight years, amid strained relations between the
world's two largest economies.
Cui, known for his more congenial, diplomatic manner, is expected to be
replaced by Qin Gang, a trusted aide of President Xi Jinping known for
his sharp retorts to criticism of China.
China's foreign ministry declined to comment on Tuesday on who would
succeed Cui, but sources with knowledge of the matter have told Reuters
that Qin is expected to take over.
Qin, 55, a foreign ministry vice minister, had served Xi as his chief
protocol officer between 2014 to 2018.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2021/Jun/22/images/ads/current/charrons_bch041713.png)
During two stints as foreign ministry spokesman from 2006-2010 and
2011-2014, Qin was known for striking an assertive posture, often making
sharp comments in defence of China.
Asked at a press conference in February about China's so-called "wolf
warrior" diplomacy - an assertive and often abrasive style adopted by
many Chinese diplomats in recent years - Qin defended China's right to
reject the "baseless smears."
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![](../images/062221PIX/news_t37.jpg)
China's ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai responds to
reporters questions during an interview with Reuters in Washington,
U.S., November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Bourg
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During the previous U.S. administration under
President Donald Trump, U.S. relations with China plunged to their
lowest point since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1979,
with the countries clashing over issues ranging from trade and
technology to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Xinjiang, and the South China
Sea.
Making his departure public in a farewell letter posted on the
embassy's website, Ambassador Cui, who is 68 and past the retirement
age of 65 for senior Chinese diplomats, wrote: "I will forever
treasure the deep friendship forged with the Chinese nationals here
during my posting in the United States."
(Additional reporting by Tony Munroe, and Cate Cadell; Editing by
Simon Cameron-Moore and Bernadette Baum)
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