ChinaFile Recommends
02.12.18Trump Taps Harry Harris, Known for Being Tough on China, as Australia Envoy
New York Times
Trump announces plans to nominate a vocal critic of China as ambassador to Australia.
Sinica Podcast
06.28.17
Top U.S. Diplomat David Rank on Why He Resigned to Protest Trump
from Sinica Podcast
David Rank became the leading diplomat for one of America’s most important embassies during the transition when Iowa governor Terry Branstad formally succeeded former Montana senator Max Baucus as U.S. Ambassador to China on May 24, 2017. He soon...
ChinaFile Recommends
03.17.17Stephen FitzGerald: Managing Australian Foreign Policy in a Chinese World
The Conversation
This is an edited extract of the 2017 Whitlam Oration, delivered by Stephen FitzGerald, Australia’s first ambassador to the People’s Republic of China (1973-76), at the Whitlam Institute, Western Sydney University, on March 16, 2017.
Viewpoint
02.07.17
Can the New U.S. Ambassador to China See Xi Jinping for Who He Really Is?
When the Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds confirmation hearings on Terry Branstad’s nomination to be Ambassador to China, the Iowa Governor is sure to be asked about the positions of the president who nominated him. I hope, though, that...
ChinaFile Recommends
01.18.17An ‘Old Friend of China’ Prepares to Bridge Differences at a Fraught Time
NPR
Branstad’s relationship with China goes back to 1985, when he was in his first term as governor and a young agricultural official from Hebei Province named Xi Jinping visited Iowa.
ChinaFile Recommends
01.13.17Ambassador to China Shares Lessons Learned with the Next Administration
NPR
Democrat Max Baucus, the U.S. ambassador to China since 2014, is preparing to hand over the post to his successor. He discusses the future of the U.S.-China relationship.
Viewpoint
12.09.16
I Think That Chinese Official Really Liked Me!
“Friendship” is everywhere in China, at least when it comes to dealing with foreigners. International societies are friendship associations. The stores once accessible only to foreign currency holders were called Friendship Stores. Provincial cities...
ChinaFile Recommends
12.09.16I Think That Chinese Official Really Liked Me!
Foreign Policy
Trump's pick for U.S. Ambassador to Beijing is apparently 'old friends' with President Xi Jinping. That will mean very little.
ChinaFile Recommends
12.08.16How a Midwest Governor Rose to Become America’s Top Official in China
South China Morning Post
Trump administration hopes Terry Branstad’s long-standing friendship with Xi Jinping will smooth often-strained ties between the two nations
ChinaFile Recommends
12.07.16Trump Picks Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as Beijing Ambassador
Washington Post
Branstad has extensive ties to China and a personal friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping
ChinaFile Recommends
03.05.14China’s Awkward ‘Banana’ Slip
CNN
As Gary Locke wrapped up his tenure as United States ambassador to China, he was lambasted in a Chinese state media editorial which accused him of being a race traitor, ashamed or in denial of his true heritage.
ChinaFile Recommends
01.29.14Baucus Pledges to Press China on Security Issues, Trade in Hearing on Ambassador Post
Washington Post
Baucus says he will hold firm on human rights, intellectual property, free trade, and marine navigation.
ChinaFile Recommends
12.21.13Despite Baucus Nomination, Critics Cite Void in China Lineup
New York Times
With his appointment of Max Baucus, Democrat of Montana, a seasoned Senate free-trader as his new ambassador to Beijing, President Obama has chosen an emissary who faithfully reflects his priorities with China, which have tended to emphasize jobs...