Friday, March 6, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Room 213, Elliott School of International Affairs, Washington, D.C.
On March 6, 2026, 11 AM – 12 PM ET, join USCET for a conversation with Nicholas Burns, U.S. Ambassador to China from 2022 to 2025.
Burns has had a robust 25-year career in the U.S. State Department. As Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs – the department’s highest-ranking career Foreign Service position – he helped shape U.S. foreign policy and oversee regional bureaus worldwide. As ambassador to China, he played a central role in managing the complex U.S.–China relationship at a challenging time.
Drawing on decades of experience in U.S.–China relations and global diplomacy, Burns will reflect on his career in the foreign service, the current state of bilateral relations and the challenges of strategic competition, and the future of ties between Washington and Beijing. This timely discussion offers a unique opportunity to hear candid insights from a senior statesman who has shaped American foreign policy at a pivotal time in American history.
Join us in-person at the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs!
Speaker Biographies
Speaker
Ambassador Nicholas Burns is the Roy and Barbara Goodman Family Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Relations at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He is the Founder and Faculty Chair of the Future of Diplomacy Project. He is also a Faculty Affiliate at Harvard’s Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies.
Burns served as the U.S. Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China from 2022-2025, leading public servants from 48 U.S. government agencies at the U.S. mission to China in overseeing one of America’s most important and challenging bilateral relationships. During his tenure, he helped to stabilize relations with Beijing while competing with China on military, technology, economic, and human rights issues.
Burns holds numerous awards and honorary degrees, including the Presidential Distinguished Service Award and the Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Award.
CHINA CONNECTIONS
Why should Americans be interested in China? USCET launches China Connections, a new monthly series hosting discussions with experts to explore their work, gain insights into current events, and learn what a career in the China field looks like today. These events highlight individuals with unique expertise on China to provide students, young professionals, and members of the public a deeper understanding of current events and increase American student interest in pursuing a focus on China. These events are mostly held in person at George Washington University with online engagement.