China’s ambassador to the US to leave after eight years

Longest-serving envoy Cui Tiankai says relations between the countries at a crossroads'

China's ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, has announced he will leave Washington after eight years, saying US-China relations are at a crossroads" as the US recalibrates its engagement policies.

Cui, whose departure has been the subject of speculation for months, wrote a farewell statement calling on Chinese people in the US to defend their right to be there, and to shoulder a great responsibility and mission" in furthering the bilateral relationship.