China News Agency, Washington, January 11-US President-elect Biden announced on the 11th that he plans to nominate professional diplomat William Burns as the director of the US Central Intelligence Agency.

　　Biden said in a statement that day, “Burnes is a model diplomat with decades of experience on the world stage, who can ensure the safety of the people and the country.”

　　Burns, 64, served as the US ambassador to Jordan from 1998 to 2001 and the US ambassador to Russia from 2005 to 2008.

Burns also served as Deputy Secretary of State under Obama.

After 33 years of working in the foreign service, Burns retired in 2014.

Since 2015, Burns has served as the chairman of the American international affairs think tank "Carnegie Foundation for International Peace".

　　According to the US media "Capitol Hill", Burns said in a video released by the Biden transition team on the 11th: "Good intelligence is the first line of defense of the United States and an indispensable basis for making reasonable policy choices."

Burns also stated that he would provide information to Biden and policymakers "without any partisanship."

　　The Associated Press said that Biden's CIA director candidates include senior intelligence officers Mike Morrel, David Cohen and Sue Gordon.

In contrast, although Burns has never served as a US intelligence officer, his analysis and reporting capabilities have won many praises during his tenure as a US diplomat abroad.

　　If approved by the U.S. Senate, Burns will replace the current CIA Director Gina Haspel.

Burns will work closely with Biden's nominated director of national intelligence, Avril Haynes.

Haynes held a national security position during the Obama administration.

　　It is worth noting that US President-elect Biden has basically completed the personnel layout of cabinet ministers and cabinet-level officials of his new administration.

The post of Director of the Central Intelligence Agency was Biden's last announced major national security post.

The Associated Press predicts that this position will not be among the cabinet-level positions of the Biden team.

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