The CIA director visited China in May

Burns, a former diplomat, reportedly met Chinese intelligence officials during his visit.

William J Burns

Sputnik –The Financial Times reported on Friday that CIA director Bill Burns paid a secret visit to Beijing last month in an effort to mend US-China relations, signaling the Biden administration’s interest in stabilizing bilateral relations. According to the report, the former diplomat, Burns, was to meet with Chinese intelligence officials during his visit.

While it is common for a CIA director to be sent on sensitive missions, Burns was chosen for the trip in part because Democrats and Republicans respect him, according to the report.

The visit marks the highest level visit by a senior US official to China since Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman visited Tianjin in 2021.

Tensions with China escalated in February this year, when an alleged Chinese spy balloon crossed the United States before being shot down over the Atlantic by US armed forces.

The Biden administration has expressed interest in rescheduling Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to China, which was canceled after the balloon incident, but Beijing has so far not responded.

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