Global Impact: Out with the old, in with the new - new personnel and a new approach for US-China relations in 2023

As Qin Gang arrived in Washington as Beijing’s ambassador, many analysts expected a “wolf warrior” diplomat, who would likely further inflame bilateral tensions that were already high owing to disappointment in Beijing that US President Joe Biden would not overturn many of the hard-line policies of his predecessor.

Despite Biden’s continuation of former president Donald Trump’s sanctions and tariffs against China, and the new US leader’s pursuit of apparently-if-not-explicitly anti-Chinese partnerships such as Aukus, Qin had some kind words about America as he left to take on his new role as Beijing’s foreign minister.