Chinese News (Part 9 of 10) USA Ambassador to China 美國准駐華大使

針對新冠疫情起源調查一事，伯恩斯也認為中國應負起責任、做出回應。他說，北京在新冠起源上一直在「搪塞」全世界，「我們不知道這個病毒是如何發起的，有很多種理論，而中國人需要回答這些問題。」

Regarding the investigation of the origin of the new crown epidemic, Burns also believes that China should take responsibility and respond. He said that Beijing has been "prevaricating" the world over the origin of the new crown. "We don't know how this virus was launched. There are many theories, and the Chinese need to answer these questions."

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（德國之聲中文網）獲提名出任美國駐中大使的前國務次卿伯恩斯（Nicholas Burns）週三（10月20日）在美國國會出席人事案聽證會。他向議員表示，中國為美國「最危險的競爭對手」，批評其對新疆丶西藏丶香港丶台灣的舉措，並指中國是一個「侵略者」，對印度丶日本及南海週遭等國家造成威脅。

他說：「中華人民共和國在新疆的種族滅絕，在西藏的濫權，對香港自治和自由的扼殺以及對台灣的欺凌都是不義的，必須停止。」

現年65歲的伯恩斯是一名職業外交官，他自1980年代進入美國外交圈，在共和黨及民主黨政府內都曾擔任過要職。美國前總統小布希時代，伯恩斯出任主管政治事務的國務次卿、並任美國駐北約大使。他也曾在前總統柯林頓時代擔任過美國駐希臘大使及國務院發言人。

隨著台灣海峽局勢升溫，在聽證會上伯恩斯也多次被參議員問及台灣議題。他譴責了最近中國戰機進入台灣防空識別區的行為，稱其「特別令人反感」。他重申華盛頓在台灣問題上堅持目前的「一個中國」政策是正確的，但同時也必須向北京破壞現狀的行動表示反對。

伯恩斯以香港為例，他說自己在1997年擔任國務院發言人期間，曾伴隨時任國務卿歐布萊特（Madeleine Albright）赴香港，見證香港主權移交。

伯恩斯說，他特別記得中國領導人當時與他們會面，對香港人民、世上其他國家做出的承諾，但之後卻一一違背。他表示：「我們顯然不能相信中國會履行在台灣議題上所做的承諾。」

伯恩斯說，有鑑於中國對台灣的行為與言論，美國國會與行政部門「完全有權深化（美台）安全合作」、擴大對台灣提供武器。他建議，美國應把台灣變成一顆「難敲開的堅果」（a tough nut to crack，意指難以對付）、協助台灣提升不對稱防衛戰力。

(Deutsche Welle Chinese website) Former Undersecretary of State Burns (Nicholas Burns), who was nominated to be the US ambassador to China, attended a personnel hearing in the US Congress on Wednesday (October 20). He told lawmakers that China is the "most dangerous competitor" of the United States, criticized its actions against Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and pointed out that China is an "aggressor" that poses a threat to India, Japan and the surrounding countries of the South China Sea. .

He said: "The genocide of the People's Republic of China in Xinjiang, the abuse of power in Tibet, the strangulation of Hong Kong's autonomy and freedom, and the bullying of Taiwan are all unrighteous and must be stopped."

Burns, 65, is a professional diplomat. He entered the American diplomatic circle in the 1980s and has held important positions in both the Republican and Democratic governments. In the era of former U.S. President Bush Jr., Burns served as the Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs and the U.S. Ambassador to NATO. He also served as the US ambassador to Greece and the spokesperson of the State Department during the time of former President Clinton.

As the situation in the Taiwan Strait heats up, Burns has also been repeatedly asked about Taiwan issues by senators at the hearing. He condemned the recent entry of Chinese fighter planes into the Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone, calling it "particularly offensive." He reiterated that Washington is correct in adhering to the current "One China" policy on the Taiwan issue, but at the same time it must also express opposition to Beijing's actions to undermine the status quo.

Burns took Hong Kong as an example. He said that when he was the spokesperson of the State Council in 1997, he accompanied the then Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to Hong Kong to witness the transfer of Hong Kong's sovereignty.

Burns said that he especially remembered the promises made by the Chinese leaders to the people of Hong Kong and other countries in the world when they met with them, but then they violated them one by one. He said: "We obviously cannot believe that China will fulfill its promises on the Taiwan issue."

Burns said that in light of China's actions and remarks against Taiwan, the US Congress and the executive branch have "full power to deepen (US-Taiwan) security cooperation" and expand the supply of weapons to Taiwan. He suggested that the United States should turn Taiwan into a "tough nut to crack" (a tough nut to crack, meaning difficult to deal with) and assist Taiwan in enhancing its asymmetric defense capabilities.