Biden’s UN Nominee Urged to Counter China, Defend ‘19 Speech Bloomberg 1/27/2021 David Wainer (Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden’s nominee for United Nations ambassador was pressed to counter China’s influence at the organization as well as defend a speech she gave to a Chinese-sponsored institute in 2019 about Beijing’s strategy in Africa. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, speaking at her confirmation hearing Wednesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, pledged to restore American leadership at the UN and said China is trying to drive “an authoritarian agenda that stands in opposition to the founding values of the institution -- American values.” “When America shows up, when we are consistent and persistent, when we exert our influence in accordance with our values, the United Nations can be an indispensable institution for advancing peace, security, and our collective well-being,” the veteran diplomat said. “If instead we walk away from the table, and allow others to fill the void, the global community suffers -- and so do American interests.”