The new U.S. Ambassador to China, David Perdue (Chinese name: Peng Dewei), arrived in Beijing to assume his post on the 15th.
Perdue replaces career diplomat Nicholas Burns as the ambassador. Burns, appointed by former President Biden, left China in January this year.
After arriving in Beijing, Perdue posted on social platform X: "I arrived in Beijing today. It's an honor to represent President Trump as the U.S. Ambassador to China. I am ready to start working to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous."
● Chinese Foreign Ministry: Willing to Provide Convenience
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a regular press conference on the same day that Beijing is willing to facilitate Perdue’s mission in China. Lin Jian further mentioned that China's position on U.S.-China relations remains consistent, adhering to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation to view and handle bilateral relations, and hopes that the U.S. and China will move towards each other.
The 76-year-old Perdue has over 40 years of experience in the American business community, having served as an executive at American sports brand Reebok and discount retailer Dollar General. Back in 2018, he expressed that in the U.S.-China trade conflict, the U.S. should adopt more targeted measures rather than imposing comprehensive tariffs.
Perdue served as a Republican senator from 2015 to 2021 and visited Taiwan, meeting with then-President Tsai Ing-wen. He was nominated by Trump to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China late last year, praised as a loyal supporter, and his business experience makes him well-suited for the role, with the suggestion it would help build a productive working relationship with Chinese leaders.
● Perdue: Beijing Waging a "New Form of War" Against the U.S.
During his nomination hearing, Perdue stated that Beijing is waging a "new form of war" against the U.S. and poses a threat to the "existing world order," highlighting that U.S.-China relations are "the most important diplomatic challenge of the 21st century."
In 2020, then-Senator Perdue co-authored a letter to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and Secretary of State Pompeo warning of the need for the U.S. to be vigilant about the impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative.