China's US envoy Qin Gang strikes conciliatory note on arrival in Washington

China's new ambassador to the United States Qin Gang said he would endeavour to bring the deeply fraught relationship between the two countries under control and strive for peaceful coexistence, despite unprecedented "risks and challenges". Speaking at his first media event, just hours after he arrived in Washington on Wednesday, Qin said relations were at a critical juncture - comparable to the days before former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger's secret, groundbreaking trip to Beijing in 1971. In the background, there was more squabbling between Chinese and US diplomats this week during deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman's visit…