As a veteran diplomat, Amb. Rice actively engaged with China under the Obama administration. Amb. Rice was the leading figure in facilitating President Obama’s state visit to China in 2014, when leaders of both countries vowed to strengthen the bilateral relationship by addressing global and regional challenges. During her visit to China, Amb. Rice tweeted, “Most major global challenges of 21st century cannot be addressed effectively without U.S. and China working together.” While working on improving a more constructive bilateral relationship between the U.S. and China, Amb. Rice had shown a strong position over some of the major fundamental issues in the U.S.-China relationship. She criticizes China’s trade policy to “impede the free flow of commerce and worsen trade imbalances.” In a warning she delivered in 2015, Amb. Rice called the alleged Chinese state-sponsored, cyber-enabled economic espionage as “an economic and national security concern to the United States.” Regarding China’s territorial claims and actions in the South China Sea, it was reported that Amb. Rice “vowed that the U.S. military would continue to sail and fly and operate in the South China Sea.” Amb. Rice was also vocal on 5G issues. In 2019, she warned Canada of the risk of allowing Huawei to work on 5G networks in Canada.

Although Amb. Rice does not have a formal foreign policy role within the current administration, her experience and current position at the Domestic Policy Council may have implications for decisions on developments in the U.S.-China relationship.  The Biden administration has viewed building up strength at home as a critical factor for U.S. competition with China. As Director of the Domestic Policy Council, Amb. Rice will implement policy that seeks to restoredemocratic values at home. Reports suggest that she is expected to weigh in “as an advocate for a strong human-rights policy toward China.” In addition, Amb. Rice will continue to engage with Chinese diplomats who begin to also comment on U.S. domestic issues. In September, 2019, Amb. Rice had a ‘war of words’ with Chinese diplomat Zhao Lijian over China’s policy in Xinjiang Province. Amb. Rice called Zhao a “racist disgrace” when the latter took aim at racism in the U.S. while defending China’s policy in Xinjiang.