Washington and Beijing have not yet reconciled a range of critical issues, including the Ukraine crisis and the status of Taiwan. The statement came from US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns during a press briefing for journalists, as reported by RIA News.
Burns stressed that fundamental differences remain. He described the relationship as highly competitive, intricate, and at times contradictory, with both sides maintaining divergent approaches to global hotspots. The diplomat pointed out clear gaps between Washington and Beijing on several international flashpoints, especially the South China Sea, Ukraine, and Middle Eastern disputes.
He highlighted that the two nations hold contrasting positions on the crisis in the South China Sea, and that their views diverge on the conflicts unfolding in Ukraine and the Middle East. Burns also drew attention to the broader policy disagreements that frame the bilateral dialogue, noting that Beijing has shown reticence toward condemning certain actions in the region.
In a related development, the United Nations General Assembly on December 12 called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and urged Hamas to release hostages unconditionally. These measures reflect a global push for de-escalation amid ongoing violence in the region, as observed by the international community and reported by multiple outlets [Citation: UN General Assembly, December meeting].
Earlier, the United States proposed amendments to the draft humanitarian resolution that would condemn attacks by the Palestinian movement on Israel. The General Assembly ultimately did not adopt those modifications, choosing to pursue a different path in addressing the crisis and humanitarian concerns [Citation: UN General Assembly deliberations].
Meanwhile, a former Prime Minister of Qatar remarked that the Middle East conflict has underscored a widening gap between Eastern and Western perspectives, underscoring the challenge of aligning regional and global security interests in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape [Citation: Doha discussions and regional commentary].