Exclusive | Mr ‘Indispensable’: China’s top diplomat to US Cui Tiankai to stay on in Biden era
- Cui is already well over the usual retirement age for a Chinese official of his rank but his connections and knowledge are highly valued, sources say
- Beijing ‘has no plan to replace him any time soon’ as it grapples with a longer-term rivalry with the United States
The decision to keep the veteran diplomat in Washington is believed to be part of Beijing’s plans to manage tensions with the new US administration and prepare for confrontational competition over the long term.
After nearly eight years in the position, Cui is already the country’s longest-serving ambassador to Washington, and several people with knowledge of the matter, including Chinese diplomats, said Beijing had no plan to replace him any time soon.
“Cui has been well regarded among the leadership for his ability to help reduce miscommunication and misperceptions and avoid conflict between China and the US,” said a diplomat in Beijing who spoke on condition of anonymity. “His role has been and will remain largely indispensable – at least for now.”