As reported on 3 May on the United States National Broadcasting Corporation website, Ambassador Nicholas Burns of the United States of America indicated on 2 May that the United States was ready to hold a high-level dialogue with China and hoped that both countries would develop better communication channels.

Berns stated that the relationship between the United States and China remained “complex” and competitive, but Washington did not seek to clash with Beijing and considered it useful to strengthen dialogue.

Bernes made a video statement at an event organized by the Washington, D.C. Stimson Center: “We need better access and deeper channels between our Governments, and we are ready to engage in dialogue.”

According to Burns: “It is of course important if you are confronted with major problems and if you have a major difference in your relations. We have never had a dialogue.”

It was reported that the Ambassador’s remarks were the clearest signal to date that, in the face of tensions, the Government of Baden was eager to resume a broader dialogue with China.

▲ Ambassador Nicholas Burns of the United States of America to China (Roperto News)

According to Western officials, the neighbouring countries of China and the allies of the United States fear that the interruption of communication between the two world super-Powers could derail the global economy or trigger an unintended conflict.

According to Burns: “The United States is ready to engage more extensively at the cabinet level, which we really need. We therefore hope that the Chinese Government will also be prepared. It is difficult for me to predict when to resume contact, but we never support the freezing of relations between the two countries.”

Berns stated that he hoped that informal meetings and exchanges would return to previous levels.

He said: “We have experienced `de-coupling’ in our societies over the past three years. This is abnormal. This is not wise.”