Within the first two weeks of October 2024, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton ravaged parts of the United States’ east coast. Notable natural disasters are increasing in frequency and ferocity across both the United States and China, highlighting the urgent need for solutions. Amid the global climate crisis, the capability of artificial intelligence in cutting-edge fields such as extreme weather forecasting and self-driving electric vehicles (EVs) is advancing at an unprecedented rate, showcasing its remarkable potential to address climate issues. What are the challenges in balancing rapid AI development with environmental sustainability? How are the United States and China addressing these concerns?   Kevin Xu joins the National Committee in an interview recorded September 2024 to offer in-depth insights into how China and the United States are utilizing AI technology to address critical climate challenges and potential opportunities for future collaboration. 

COVID-19 and U.S.-China Relations examines the profound and lasting impact of COVID-19 on Sino-American relations. It covers an array of areas including public health, trade and supply chain challenges, people-to-people connections, shifts in public opinion, rising nationalism, anti-Asian sentiment, and strategic assessments. Since the pandemic’s outbreak in late 2019, China and the United States have both suffered enormously. So too has the U.S.-China relationship, which was already at a low point before COVID-19 accelerated its deterioration. With contributions by leading and emerging scholars from both nations, the open-access volume reflects a collaborative effort, emphasizing the importance of bilateral dialogue. As the world moves beyond the COVID era, this book offers insights into potential pathways for rebuilding and redefining U.S.-China relations.   In an interview conducted on September 26, 2024, volume editor Zheng Wang is joined by chapter contributors Yanzhong Huang and Joan Kaufman in conversation with Margaret Lewis.  About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/covid-19-and-u-s-china-relations/  Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for the video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr), Instagram (@ncuscr), and LinkedIn.

What is a traditional Chinese farmhouse doing in West Virginia? Rather than allow the historic home to be demolished, Dr. John flower and a team of Chinese and U.S. volunteers moved the house over eight thousand miles from China to the United States. China Folk House rebuilt the traditional Yunnan-style home in West Virginia with over 22 thousand hours of volunteer labor from community members and students. China Folk House aims to serve as a cultural exchange project, connecting U.S. and Chinese rural communities in cultural exchange, as well as spreading and preserving knowledge of local issues and traditional practices.  In an interview recorded on August 30, 2024, John Flower discusses his vision for the China Folk House project and its purpose to bridge rural communities in West Virginia and Yunnan through architecture and craftsmanship. 

To overcome “brain drain,” some countries encourage their overseas nationals to use the knowledge they gained abroad to help their motherlands. Since the mid-1990s, China’s party-state efforts include a wide array of programs and incentives to encourage overseas talent to transfer their knowledge back home. Many Chinese working abroad participate, some to strengthen their former homeland, others from self-interest.  Author David Zweig's new book, The War for Chinese Talent in America: The Politics of Technology and Knowledge in Sino-U.S. Relations, documents China’s effort to access U.S. technology and America’s vigorous counterattacks and efforts to disrupt the transfer of American technology to China. In an interview conducted on September 10, 2024, David Zweig, in conversation with Yangyang Cheng, explores the status of Sino-American scientific collaboration and the outflow of some top Chinese talent from the United States back to China.  About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/the-war-for-chinese-talent-in-america/    Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for the video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr), Instagram (@ncuscr), and LinkedIn.

In both the United States and Canada, geopolitical tensions with China have given rise to domestic suspicions and even legal restrictions on Chinese communities. Both nations have a history of discriminatory laws and policies that excluded Chinese communities, leaving a legacy of anti-Asian sentiment that persists today. Recent events, including the spike in anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic and laws prohibiting Chinese nationals from purchasing property in some U.S. states, echo these historical patterns of exclusion and discrimination.   In an interview recorded on August 13, 2024, Henry Yu explores the relevance of historic Chinese migration on the Pacific coast to contemporary geopolitics, and how acknowledging this shared past can help foster more informed discussions on race and immigration in North America.  About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/chinese-immigration-canada-us/  Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for the video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr), Instagram (@ncuscr), and LinkedIn.

The 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) established barrier-free trade among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Several Chinese private-sector companies have set up manufacturing companies in Mexico that sell to the United States, thereby hoping to work around U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made products. As Chinese companies move production lines to Mexico, the United States grows more concerned about Chinese dominance in the global market. One prominent case study is in the electric vehicle (EV) market: Chinese EV manufacturers, which originally faced high tariffs in the U.S. market, are building up their manufacturing capacity in Mexico. The growing presence of comparatively cheaper Chinese EV materials in the U.S. market could present a threat to the future of U.S. EV companies. In this interview recorded on September 3, 2024, join Meg Rithmire as she interviews Jorge Guajardo and Michael Dunne about the U.S.-China-Mexico economic relationship and its significance to the global electric vehicle market. About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/made-in-china-us-mexico-china-ev/ Follow Jorge Guajardo on X: @jorge_guajardo Follow Michael Dunne on X: @dunne_insights Follow Meg Rithmire on X: @MegRithmire Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for the video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr), Instagram (@ncuscr), and LinkedIn.

The U.S.-China Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement (STA), signed in 1979, was the first major bilateral agreement between the United States and China. Since then, it has been renewed multiple times and has facilitated China’s integration into the global economy. However, experts agree that the agreement no longer reflects China’s expanded scientific and technological (S&T) capacity, nor does it address U.S. concerns about China’s S&T practices and policies. After two six month extensions approved by President, the STA expired on August 27th, 2024. In an interview conducted on August 21, 2024, Scott Moore speaks with Yasheng Huang and Deborah Seligsohn about current U.S.-China scientific collaboration, the legacy of the STA, and the potential future of an STA 2.0.  About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/chinese-migrants-at-the-border/  Follow Deborah Seligsohn on X: @DebSeligsohn Follow Yasheng Huang on X: @YashengHuang Follow Scott Moore on X: @water_futures Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for the video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

The United States and China are racing towards AI dominance. Many people don't know that artists and writers are at the forefront of shaping the legal future of AI. As both U.S. and Chinese AI tools grow ever-more sophisticated, courtrooms in both countries are left to decide legal boundaries on intellectual property issues. However, with AI's rapid development and an increasing focus on data security, blind spots in AI policy will continue to loom over not only artists and content creators but the future of U.S.-China tech relations. How will differing approaches to AI regulation in the United States and China shape both ordinary users and the future of AI? In an interview recorded on August 15, 2024, Johanna Costigan joins the National Committee to discuss AI policy divergence and cooperation opportunities in the United States and China.

In 2023, U.S. border officials arrested over 37,000 Chinese nationals at the southern border, ten times as many as the previous year. The trend is so pronounced that “walking the line” (走线), as the journey from Central/South America to the U.S. southern border is known on Chinese social media, has become a buzzword in Chinese society. The resulting influx of Chinese migrants into the United States has drawn the attention of mainstream U.S. media, prompting calls for policymakers to act. The Department of Homeland Security announced on July 2, 2024, that it had sent 116 Chinese migrants back to China from the United States in the first “large charter flight” in five years, and will continue to work with China on future removal flights.    In a conversation moderated by Meredith Oyen on August 13, 2024, Gil Guerra and Leland Lazarus shared information about the issues surrounding current Chinese migrants and discussed the U.S. policy responses.  About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/chinese-migrants-at-the-border/  Follow Gil Guerra on X: @gildeguerra Follow Leland Lazarus on X: @LelandLazarus Follow Meredith Oyen on X: @MeredithOyen Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

In 1996, when Peter Hessler first went to China to teach, almost all of his students were first-generation college students. Most came from large rural families, and their parents, subsistence farmers, could offer little guidance as their children entered a new world. By 2019, when Mr. Hessler arrived at Sichuan University, he found a very different China, as well as a new kind of student – an only child whose schooling was the object of intense focus from a much more ambitious cohort of parents.     China’s education system offers a means of examining the country’s past, present, and future.  At a time when anti-Chinese rhetoric in America has grown intense, Other Rivers is a work of empathy that shows us China from the inside out and the bottom up.   In an interview conducted on August 6, 2024, Peter Hessler, in conversation with Lenora Chu, looks at Chinese education as a way to understand both China and the United States.  About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/peter-hessler-other-rivers/  Follow Peter Hessler on X: @peterhessler  Follow Lenora Chu on X: @LenoraChu  Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Arriving in China more than thirty years ago with nothing more than an interest in Chinese culture and philosophy, David Moser ended up witnessing China’s monumental evolution from a country just discovering Coca Cola to a wealthy, worldly, and confident nation. His experiences in China inspired his enthusiasm for cultural exchange, the importance of curiosity, and the necessity of dialogue to grow greater understanding of the country he calls home. In an interview recorded on July 5, 2024, David Moser joins the National Committee to discuss his insights into Chinese culture and the importance of engaging with each other through shared humanity.

What will China’s economic policy look like over the next five years? Since the launch of Deng Xiaoping’s economic reforms in 1978, the Third Plenum (held every five years) has served as a platform for China’s leadership to convey its vision for the country’s economic future. Originally expected to convene in fall 2023, this Third Plenum was postponed until mid-July 2024. Although there was no public explanation for the delay, it is clear that China’s economy is at a crossroads. Since the last Third Plenum in 2018, the world has been through a pandemic; competitive tension with the U.S. has been on the rise; and China faces challenges that include an aging population, youth unemployment, and a troubled property sector. Foreign tariffs on Chinese goods have also increased, just as the CCP leadership navigates its role as a burgeoning global power in a time of international conflict and polarization. Scott Kennedy, in conversation with Lizzi Lee, explores the implications of this Third Plenum for the future of China’s economy, economic policy, and international trade.

In May 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB264 (23R) into law, prohibiting Chinese nationals and those from some other countries from purchasing homes and other real estate in Florida. Republican state officials say the law is necessary to combat the influence of the Chinese Communist Party. Lawmakers in several states, including Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama, are considering similar restrictions on Chinese citizens owning property. Is the concern that propelled the law legitimate? How does it affect immigration from China? What are some potential consequences for Chinese citizens residing in the United States? What is the impact on the bilateral relationship? On June 26, 2024, Elizabeth Plantan discussed the impact of Florida’s property law and other state-level laws aimed to restrict Chinese property ownership in the U.S. with Matthew Erie and Mae M. Ngai. About the speakers Follow Matthew Erie on X: @MatthewErie Follow Elizabeth Plantan on X: @Enplantan Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

China is growing in prominence on the world stage, highlighted by its leadership roles in international forums like the United Nations, peacebuilding efforts, and pioneering of economic relationships through the Belt and Road Initiative. Though China’s development offers new opportunities, its rise is also seen by many as a direct challenge to the post-World War II order largely established by the United States and allies. What is China’s desired role in the world, and what might a future shaped by Chinese goals and priorities look like? In an interview filmed on June 6, 2024, NCUSCR Director Elizabeth Economy joins the National Committee to discuss China’s new world order and the role of the United States in a world where China has greater influence. About the speaker Follow Elizabeth Economy on X: @LizEconomy Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

In 2022, the trade volume between the United States and China topped $750 billion dollars. Despite the deep economic interconnection between the two largest economies, both countries have been taking steps to separate their supply chains from each other—a process known as decoupling. What is the drive behind the U.S. desire to decouple from China and the ongoing trade war, and is it possible to decouple from China completely?  In an interview filmed on March 8, 2024, Clark Packard discusses how decoupling would affect the American and global economy.  About the speaker Follow Clark Packard on X: @PackardClark Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).  

In High Wire, Angela Zhang explores how China regulates its tech sector. By analyzing the incentives and interactions among the key players, Ms. Zhang introduces a dynamic pyramid model to analyze the structure, process, and outcome of China’s unique regulatory system. She showcases the self-regulatory tactics employed by Chinese tech titans to survive and thrive in an institutional environment plagued by fraud and corruption. The 2020-2022 tech crackdown led to the private sector’s retreat and the state’s advancement in the tech industry. These regulatory shifts have also steered investors from consumer tech businesses toward hardcore technologies that are essential for China’s bid to match, and perhaps overtake, the United States in innovation. In an interview conducted on May 24, 2024, Angela Zhang, in conversation with Winston Ma, focuses on the recent past, present, and future of China’s tech governance, especially in the realm of generative artificial intelligence. About the speakers Follow Richard Fontaine on X:  @AngelaZhangHK Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

There is wide bipartisan agreement that Asia belongs at the center of U.S. foreign policy. What has been achieved since the Obama administration announced its “Pivot to Asia” in 2011?  Robert Blackwill and Richard Fontaine argue in Lost Decade: The U.S. Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power that although the pivot made strategic sense, there have been few successes; furthermore, we need a far more coherent approach to the Indo-Pacific region.  The authors stress that American policymakers must fully understand what the pivot to Asia aimed to achieve – and where it fell short – to gather the resources and forge the alliances and resolve necessary to preserve an open order in Asia and the world. Crafting an effective policy for the region is critical to preserving American security, prosperity, and democratic values. In an interview conducted on May 14, 2024, Ambassador Robert D. Blackwill and Richard Fontaine discuss the recent shift to Asia-centric geopolitics and its implications for America’s present and future. About the speakers Follow Richard Fontaine on X: @RHFontaine Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

In the wake of Xi Jinping’s first visit to Europe in five years, the European Union and China continue to navigate an increasingly challenging period in relations. Concerns over growing trade imbalances, unfair subsidies in key industries, high-profile espionage cases, and China’s continued support for Russia and its war on Ukraine place increasing strain on this pivotal relationship. At the same time, economic interconnectivity and shared concerns over transnational issues like climate change and AI governance compel coordination and cooperation. President Xi’s recent visits to France, Hungary, and Serbia have underscored the divisions within the European Union regarding China policy, leaving the path forward uncertain. At this critical juncture, on May 15, 2024, Jason Kelly sat down with Noah Barkin and Janka Oertel to unpack recent developments, key issues, and the road ahead for China and the European Union.   About the speakers About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/europe-china-relations/ Follow Noah Barkin on X: @noahbarkin Follow Janka Oertel on X: @oertel_janka Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

The U.S.-China bilateral relationship is a competitive one, from economics to security, diplomacy to geopolitics, technology to the oceans and deep space. It is subject to varying degrees of tension, punctuated by intermittent cooperation and now, a resumption of selective dialogue. Each side views the other with suspicion and the policies of both are in keeping with a sense of alarm. Yet the two countries seem to agree that decoupling the two economies would be a grave mistake and that security, including technological preeminence, is essential to development, growth, leadership, and sovereignty. Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky spoke at the National Committee’s Annual Members Program on May 21, 2024, with NCUSCR Director Amy Celico. They discussed the foundations of the U.S.-China relationship, the policy focus and goals of each side, and opportunities for greater collaboration even in the face of political sensitivities and the de-risking driving economic and trade ties. About the speakers: ncuscr.org/video/charlene-barshefsky-members-program Follow Amy Celico on X: @AmyCelico

The military force of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), is the largest standing army in the world. However, the United States maintains the highest military expenditure in the world. How can Americans evaluate whether the U.S. or Chinese military is bigger?  In an interview conducted on April 15, 2024, Isaac Kardon discusses the comparative capabilities of the PLA and U.S. militaries, and how strategists evaluate the threat the PLA holds towards American territories.  U.S.-China Counterpoints explores common perspectives on the U.S.-China relationship held by those in both countries. Guided by leading experts, this series examines the facts behind common viewpoints, and the details that shape U.S.-China relations behind the headlines.  About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/pla-us-military Follow Isaac Kardon on X: @IBKardon Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

A full-out trade war erupted between the United States and China during the Trump administration, increasing tariffs on Chinese imports in dozens of sectors and leading to rising business competition and costs to consumers. How has this ongoing trade war impacted everyday U.S. and Chinese citizens? And how will the Biden administration handle the current tariffs placed on Chinese goods?  KU Trade War Lab Director Jack Zhang joined the National Committee to discuss the national and global consequences of the U.S.-China trade war on May 7, 2024.  About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/us-china-trade-war/ Follow Jack Zhang on X: @HanFeiTzu Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

China was able to broker a historic global security agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, changing not only the Middle East’s regional dynamics, but also China’s position on the global diplomatic stage. China performs a balancing act between being a responsible stakeholder in world affairs, including the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars, and upholding its value of non-interference in other countries’ politics. Why is China positioning itself as a global peace broker and conflict mediator? What does this position say about China’s national trajectory and its relationship with the United States?  What’s are the advantages of China positioning itself as a global peace broker and conflict mediator? What does this position say about China’s national trajectory and its relationship with the United States? Preston Jordan Lim joined the National Committee on May 6, 2024 to discuss the diplomatic goals and national strategy of China’s engagement in global conflicts and resolutions.   About the speaker Follow Preston Jordan Lim on X: @PrestonJordanL1 Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Official U.S. policy towards Taiwan focuses on developing robust non-state relations with the island while advocating for a peaceful resolution to the cross-strait conflict. When considering American policy towards Taiwan, is more U.S. support good for Taiwan and regional peace?  Sara Newland, Assistant Professor of Government at Smith College, discusses the need to pay attention to Taiwan’s own desires and needs in the context of the China-U.S.-Taiwan relationship in this latest installment of U.S.-China Counterpoints in an interview conducted on November 3, 2023. U.S.-China Counterpoints explores common perspectives on the U.S.-China relationship held by those in both countries. Guided by leading experts, this series examines the facts behind common viewpoints, and the details that shape U.S.-China relations behind the headlines.  About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/should-us-support-taiwan/ Follow Sara Newland on X: @NewlandSara Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

China is the largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, making its carbon abatement plans crucial to the future of global climate change mitigation. The country’s flagship climate goals aim to peak carbon levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 (“30-60 goals”). China has moved more slowly in developing its emissions trading system (ETS) than in other carbon abatement areas. 2021 marked the inception of China’s ETS, the largest carbon emissions market in the world. At the onset, the ETS showed promising returns, with close to $200 million tons of trading in the first transaction period (July-December 2021). However, over the past few years, China has moved slowly to expand the ETS to include more industries. Most recently, the government passed a new series of regulations that will strengthen the legitimacy of the market and authorize more penalties for companies that fabricate or fail to report their emissions. On April 4, 2024, Michael Davidson joins Max Song and Xiaolu Zhao to discuss China’s emissions trading system and its implications for domestic and international climate goals. About the speakers Follow Max Song on X: @Pericarus Follow Michael Davidson on X: @east_winds Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

In a nation famous for its megacities, it’s hard to grasp that China is the world’s third most biodiverse country and 42% uninhabited wilderness. Yet protecting wild Chinese flora and fauna is crucial to preserving a healthy climate. How does China interact with the wilderness on their doorstep, and how are conservation efforts bridging the gap between man and nature?  In an interview recorded on February 28, 2024, conservationist Kyle Obermann joins us for Earth Month to share his experiences documenting China’s little-known wild places.   About the speaker Follow Kyle Obermann on X: @KyleExplores Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

A TikTok ban moved one step closer to reality when the House passed the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act” in March 2024, and then moved to package the Act with foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan in mid-April. Though not yet a law, the bill draws attention to the deepening tech competition between the U.S. and China. While Chinese companies do manage to find space in U.S. markets and popularity with American consumers, at the same time they raise the suspicions of the U.S. government. TikTok is not the first Chinese tech company to run up against U.S. lawmakers or regulators, but the precedent set by TikTok’s case could impact U.S.-China relations for years to come.   In an interview recorded March 25, 2024, Wenchi Yu joins us to discuss how Chinese companies can better adapt and localize to the U.S. market and pave the way for healthier U.S.-China business relations.  About the speaker Follow Wenchi Yu on X: @WenchiY Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

On November 14th, 2023, the United States and China jointly issued the “Sunnylands Statement on Enhancing Cooperation to Address the Climate Crisis” which introduced several areas for U.S.-China climate cooperation. The statement aims to increase activities between states, provinces, and cities in the two countries, and to restart Track 1, 1.5, and 2 dialogues on energy transition strategies. Meanwhile, John Kerry and Xie Zhenhua, the two veteran climate envoys responsible for hammering out global deals to address climate change, have both recently stepped down. Their successors, Liu Zhenmin and John Podesta, will build on a foundation of goodwill and communication, but have major challenges ahead. On March 29, 2024, Kelly Sims Gallagher and Li Shuo join the National Committee to discuss the future of U.S.-China climate diplomacy. About the speakers Follow Kelly Sims Gallagher on X: @kellysgallagher Follow Li Shuo on X: @LiShuo_GP Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

The 2024 CHINA Town Hall program took place on Tuesday, April 9, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET, with featured speaker Dr. Kurt Campbell, Deputy Secretary of State. Missed the event? Watch a recording of the livestream here. CHINA Town Hall (CTH), a two-part program that provides a snapshot of the current U.S.-China relationship and examines how that relationship reverberates at the local level – in our towns, states, and nation, connects Americans around the country with U.S. policymakers and thought leaders on China.   Since CTH began in 2007, the National Committee has proudly partnered with a range of institutions and civic groups, colleges and universities, trade and business associations, world affairs councils, and think tanks to convene town halls and bring this important national conversation to local communities around America (and a few overseas).  About the speaker About CHINA Town Hall Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

David M. Lampton’s new book addresses a core critique of the management of Sino-American relations across eight administrations: that naïve American elites conflated their hopes for democracy and a globally responsible China with the actual prospects for those ends, and, in the process, traded away American interests, competitive position, and national security. The book challenges that narrative. Developments in the U.S.-China relationship are converging in ways that are setting off major alarms; the level of hazard is unlike anything we have seen in a half-century. Living U.S.-China Relations describes the current situation and explains what has brought us to this juncture.  In an interview conducted on March 5, 2024, David M. Lampton, in conversation with Jan Berris and Gina Tam, discusses U.S.-China ties as a relationship between two societies, not just two states, through the vantage point of the author’s lived experience over nearly six decades. About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/living-us-china-relations-cold-war/ Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

At the height of the Cold War, the United States made a bold political gamble to engage with an underdeveloped and politically isolated China. Engagement policy transformed not only the Cold War political landscape, but the trajectory of history: China is now one of the largest and most powerful economies in the world, and is widely considered by Americans to be a rival.   In this new era of U.S.-China relations, “engagement” has become a target for criticism in American political circles. Does it deserve this reputation? In an interview recorded on December 12, 2023, Diana Fu and Yun Sun discuss the legacy of engagement policy and what lessons Americans can learn from the past five decades of relations with China.  U.S.-China Counterpoints explores common perspectives on the U.S.-China relationship held by those in both countries. Guided by leading experts, this series examines the facts behind common viewpoints, and the details that shape U.S.-China relations behind the headlines.  About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/counterpoints-engagement/ Follow Diana Fu on X: @dianafutweets Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

U.S.-China & the World is an interview series investigating how the U.S.-China relationship impacts societies, economies, and policies around the globe. Through short interviews with local experts, this series takes a closer look at the countries and regions affected by and navigating through U.S.-China tensions—and ultimately, how the United States and China together can build a better future for the international community.  The Pacific Islands lie in China’s and the United States’ backyards. How can the two countries become better neighbors to the region to better the lives of those living in the Pacific? Graeme Smith, professor and podcast host, joined the National Committee on July 27, 2023 to broadly discuss the perspective from the Pacific Islands.   About the speaker Read the transcipt Follow Graeme Smith on X: @GraemeKSmith Listen to The Little Red Podcast Want to suggest a country or region for us to cover? Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

The United States and its allies have been combating Houthi attacks that have left vital Red Sea shipping lanes vulnerable. China, however, has contributed little to these international efforts. Tensions have risen amid calls for China to join the international effort, prompting discussions on the nation’s role in safeguarding maritime security in the Red Sea. How can China and the United States work together or separately to help restore stability and security in the crucial Red Sea region, and what is holding back cooperation? In a discussion moderated by Dawn Murphy on March 18, 2024, Isaac Kardon and Sun Yun analyze the shipping lane crisis and China’s role in Red Sea security. About the speakers Follow Dawn Murphy on X: @DawnMurphyChina Follow Isaac Kardon on X: @IBKardon Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

China’s economy is infused into every aspect of the U.S.-China relationship. With tighter U.S. export controls on chips, new technology developments in China, a slowdown in consumer activity, rising electric vehicle competition, and prickly government relations, the Chinese and American economies were inextricably linked in 2023. What will happen in 2024 as the U.S. presidential election brings more uncertainty to U.S.-China relations? Understanding where China’s macroeconomic trends are heading – and how they may affect American consumers – is crucial to managing other areas of the bilateral relationship. Economists are split on whether the Chinese economy is stable or on the edge of a debt crisis. In this program on March 14, 2024, National Committee President Stephen Orlins joins Amy Celico and Barry Naughton to help make sense of different economic and policy projections for China’s economy in 2024 (and beyond). About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/chinas-economy-2024/ Follow Amy Celico on X: @AmyCelico Follow Barry Naughton on X: @bnaughton Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

The annual meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), known as the “Two Sessions” (“Lianghui”), feature the gathering of political leaders in Beijing each spring to announce plans and goals for the coming year. In 2024, faced with concerns over stalling economic growth, increased tension in the South China Sea, and elections in Taiwan and the United States, the Two Sessions has been in the spotlight for both international and domestic audiences. What are the key implications of the 2024 Two Sessions for the state and trajectory of U.S.-China relations? In an interview conducted on March 14, 2024, Jessica Teets and Jack Zhang discuss the implications of the 2024 Two Sessions for China’s economy, politics, and foreign policy with Mary Gallagher. About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/2024-two-sessions/ Follow Mary Gallagher on X: @MaryGao Follow Jack Zhang on X: @HanFeiTzu     Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Second Thomas Shoal, a feature in the South China Sea, is highly contested: both China and the Philippines claim sovereignty over this area and have confronted each other repeatedly around the shoal, stirring tensions that have escalated into a military confrontation between the two countries. The Chinese Embassy in Manila announced that the Chinese Coast Guard would continue law enforcement activities around the Second Thomas Shoal and condemned the Philippines’ presence in the region; the government of the Philippines insists that it has sovereignty. Both sides state that the other is violating international law. China’s sovereignty claims in the South China Sea have long been a point of contention for some Southeast Asian countries, the United States, and others. Conflict management in the Second Thomas Shoal has lasting implications for China's neighbors. On March 8, 2024, Jennifer Staats discusses rising tension in Second Thomas Shoal and China-Philippine relations with Jay Batongbacal and Frances Wang. About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/south-china-sea-second-thomas-shoal/ Follow Jay Batongbacal on X: @JayBatongbacal Follow Frances Wang on X: @YapingW Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

U.S.-China & the World is an interview series investigating how the U.S.-China relationship impacts societies, economies, and policies around the globe. Through short interviews with local experts, this series takes a closer look at the countries and regions affected by and navigating through U.S.-China tensions—and ultimately, how the United States and China together can build a better future for the international community.  Serbia-China relations are woven together by free trade agreements and national security. What do Serbians think of the U.S.-China relationship? How does the country navigate a path between the world’s two greatest superpowers? Stefan Vladisavljev joins the National Committee on September 21, 2023 to help us understand what Serbia wants and its attitudes towards China and the United States.  About the speaker Read the transcipt Follow Stefan Vladisavljev on X: @vladisavljev_s Want to suggest a country or region for us to cover? Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Part 1 In 1997, Marketus Presswood was the only Black student in his language program in Beijing, China. His experience navigating race, culture, and identity between China and the U.S. shaped his current research into socio-cultural interactions between Africa, the African Diaspora and China in the twentieth century. Studying abroad in China is not just crucial for American national security, but an important way for young Americans and Chinese to see they have more in common than not.  Part 2 In the early twentieth century, Black and African American musicians brought jazz to China via the ballrooms and music halls of Shanghai. Musical connections between Chinese and Americans flourished through personal interactions and left an indelible imprint on the global state of jazz and China’s own music history.  In an interview recorded January 25, 2024, Spelman College Assistant Professor Marketus Presswood discusses the history of people-to-people relations between Chinese and American musicians, and the necessity of study abroad equity for underrepresented groups of young Americans. About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/china-black-history-month/ Follow Marketus Presswood on X: @Marketusp Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

U.S.-China & the World is an interview series investigating how the U.S.-China relationship impacts societies, economies, and policies around the globe. Through short interviews with local experts, this series takes a closer look at the countries and regions affected by and navigating through U.S.-China tensions—and ultimately, how the United States and China together can build a better future for the international community.  In the time since Kenya and China normalized relations in 1963, China has become Kenya’s largest trading partner in addition to large economic involvement, such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the establishment of Chinese businesses in Kenya. What does Kenya need to consider when navigating its separate relationships with the United States and China? Professor Elijah Munyi joined the National Committee on August 18, 2023 to help us understand Kenya’s diplomatic balance between China and the United States.  About the speaker Read the transcipt Want to suggest a country or region for us to cover? Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

NCUSCR staffers Elisabeth Fisher and Bailey Johnson discuss their experiences studying in China, how they balanced exploring a new culture and developing their own identities, and the importance of Black History Month through the study abroad experience.  Find their bios here: https://www.ncuscr.org/staff/ Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).  

U.S.-China & the World is an interview series investigating how the U.S.-China relationship impacts societies, economies, and policies around the globe. Through short interviews with local experts, this series takes a closer look at the countries and regions affected by and navigating through U.S.-China tensions—and ultimately, how the United States and China together can build a better future for the international community.  As a NATO member and bordering country of the Russia-Ukraine war, Poland juggles the complex yet necessary social, political, and security factors. How does China impact Poland’s goals, and how will the United States respond to Chinese involvement in the region? On September 13, 2023, Alijca Bachulska joined the National Committee and dove into the concerns and desires of Poland.   About the speaker Read the transcript Follow Alijca Bachulska on X: @a_bachulska Want to suggest a country or region for us to cover? Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Meg Rithmire’s book, Precarious Ties: Business and the State in Authoritarian Asia, compares state-business relations in China, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It explains why initial partnerships for growth between political and business elites disintegrated into corruption and financial instability in all three countries, and why some patterns of corruption and cronyism are more destructive for economic and political stability than others. She argues that China is similar to Indonesia in many ways, with endemic distrust between business and political elites creating a form of “mutual endangerment.” In both countries, fraud, asset expatriation, and cronyism reflect mutual enmeshment in illegal dealings to guarantee safety. In recent years, the CCP has pursued discipline of the private sector that seems to borrow from Malaysia, especially the party-state in corporate governance roles. In an interview conducted on January 18, 2024, Meg Rithmire, in conversation with Yeling Tan, focuses on the relationship between business and the state in China. About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/business-state-authoritarian-asia/ Read the transcript: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/business-state-authoritarian-asia/ Follow Meg Rithmire on X: @MegRithmire Follow Yeling Tan on X: @YelingT Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

According to a Chicago Council survey conducted in September 2023, Americans are more concerned about China’s rise now than at any point since the end of the Cold War. A record level of Americans consider China’s transformation into a global power to be a threat to U.S. interests, and are more likely to say that the U.S. government’s efforts to counter China’s rise have been insufficient. Although those surveyed are confident in U.S. military power compared to China’s military power, Americans are divided on which country is stronger economically. From human rights to intellectual property rights, Americans are more likely to say that the U.S. government’s response to China has not gone far enough than to say it has been about right. In an interview recorded on January 19, 2024 with Kate Kaup, Craig Kafura discusses the findings of the Chicago Council’s survey on U.S. attitudes towards China. About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/chicago-council-china-threat/ Read the transcript: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/chicago-council-china-threat/ Follow Craig Kafura on X: @ckafura Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

U.S.-China & the World is an interview series investigating how the U.S.-China relationship impacts societies, economies, and policies around the globe. Through short interviews with local experts, this series takes a closer look at the countries and regions affected by and navigating through U.S.-China tensions—and ultimately, how the United States and China together can build a better future for the international community.  The South Asian state of Nepal, wedged between China and India, balances and leverages its strategic interests and responsibilities between its much larger neighbors. Where does Nepal stand on the U.S.-China relationship? Professor Gaurav Bhattarai (Tribhuvan University) joined the National Committee on July 31, 2023, to investigate the triangular relationship between the United States, China, and Nepal.   About the speaker Read the transcript Follow Gaurav Bhattarai on X: @Gauravbhattarai Want to suggest a country or region for us to cover? Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

U.S.-China & the World is an interview series investigating how the U.S.-China relationship impacts societies, economies, and policies around the globe. Through short interviews with local experts, this series takes a closer look at the countries and regions affected by and navigating through U.S.-China tensions—and ultimately, how the United States and China together can build a better future for the international community.  Italian domestic politics and role in global developmental projects changed drastically in 2023. What will Italian infrastructure and economy look like after Italy leaves the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)? Professor Matteo Dian joined the National Committee on August 29, 2023 to discuss how the Italian public and government understands itself in relation to the U.S.-China relationship.   About the speaker Read the transcript Follow Matteo Dian on X: @matteo_dian Want to suggest a country or region for us to cover? Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Nearly 20 million voters in Taiwan went to the polls over the weekend to elect a new president.  The a results will have outsize importance to Taiwan’s future, its relations with the United States and China, as well as U.S.- China relations more broadly. With the votes now counted, the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will retain the presidency as William Lai Ching-te looks to build on the work of his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen. As the world closely monitors the Taiwan Strait to discern the implications of these election results, it is crucial to gain insights directly from Taiwan to understand the issues that influenced the outcome and anticipate what comes next within the Taiwan-China-United States triangle. In an interview conducted on January 14, 2024 in Taipei, Margaret Lewis delves into the details of Taiwan’s 2024 election results with Yu-Jie Chen and Brian Hioe. About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/taiwan-election-results/ Read the transcript here Follow Yu-Jie Chen on X: @yujiechentw Follow Brian Hioe on X: @brianhioe Follow Margaret Lewis on X: @MargaretKLewis Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

U.S.-China & the World is an interview series investigating how the U.S.-China relationship impacts societies, economies, and policies around the globe. Through short interviews with local experts, this series takes a closer look at the countries and regions impacted by and navigating through U.S.-China tensions—and ultimately, how the United States and China together can build a better future for the international community.  The countries of Southeast Asia represent a large diversity of diplomatic stances, tactics, and goals on the global political stage. What can the United States and China do to further the interests of Southeast Asian nations? From the South China Seas to trade and climate, China and the United States must take into consideration Southeast Asia’s regional interests. Selina Ho joined the National Committee on April 1, 2023, to discuss Southeast Asia’s social and political dynamics within the great context of the U.S.-China relationship.  Follow Selina Ho on X: @selinalcho Want to suggest a country or region for us to cover? Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Apparently, the U.S.-China relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Why, and for whom? Introducing our new segment on The US-China Podcast, U.S.-China & the World! Experts from around the world tell us about how the U.S.-China relationship impacts their countries on matters including, but not limited to, climate change, healthcare, economics, and security. You’ll hear experts from regions such as Southeast Asia, South America, the Pacific Islands, and more.  Follow along as the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations takes you around the world to answer the question, “How can the United States and China work together to make the world a better place?” Want to suggest a country or region for us to cover? Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

The United States and China are at a crossroads today. Will the two nations be enemies, or will they continue to engage with each other? Mary Brown Bullock, who first visited China nearly 50 years ago, explores this question in her latest book, China on My Mind.  Her memoir describes being a missionary child in Asia, studying China from afar, leading the first exchanges of students, being a college president, and establishing an American university in China. Dr. Bullock, an optimist and long-term participant, concludes with today’s uncertainty as many institutions including Duke University, Ford Foundation, China Medical Board, United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, and others face a new era of relations with China. In an interview conducted on December 21, 2023, Mary Brown Bullock discusses the past, present, future of U.S-China relations through the lenses of a trained historian, an academic administrator, and a frequent visitor. About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/china-on-my-mind/ Read the transcript here: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/china-on-my-mind/ Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

In the summer of 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched a lunar-exploration mission, making India the fourth country to land on the moon. Now that India has joined China and the United States in the ranks of major space-faring countries, there is huge potential for outer space cooperation between the three nations. How will the United States, China, and India work together on shared challenges, such as space debris and traffic management? Significant obstacles to healthy cooperation remain because of geopolitical tensions here on planet Earth. In an interview filmed on November 3, 2023, Namrata Goswami joins the National Committee to discuss the future of U.S.-China-India space cooperation and competition. About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/india-china-united-states-space/ Follow Namrata Goswami on X: @namygoswami Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).  

Shellen Wu’s new book, Birth of the Geopolitical Age: Global Frontiers and the Making of Modern China traces the global history of the frontier in the twentieth century, particularly in China. The global history approach offers a new perspective on the continuities and evolution of the construction of Chinese territoriality from the late nineteenth century through to the People’s Republic of China after 1949. She weaves a narrative that moves through time and space, the lives of individuals, and empires’ rise, fall and rebirth, to show how the reshaping of Chinese geopolitical ambitions in the twentieth century, and the global transformation of frontiers, continues to reorder global power dynamics in East Asia and beyond to this day. In an interview conducted on November 9, 2023, Shellen Wu, in conversation with James Carter, discusses how China, despite political turmoil and war, navigated the twentieth century with its imperial territory basically intact. About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/Global-Frontiers-modern-China/ Read the transcript: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/Global-Frontiers-modern-China/ Follow James Carter on Twitter: @jayjamescarter Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

The candidates for Taiwan’s upcoming presidential election, set for January 13, 2024, were finally announced on Friday, November 24 after a dramatic failure of opposition parties to form a coalition against Taiwan’s ruling party. One factor setting this election apart from those previous is the exceptional popularity of a third-party candidate, Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party, which signals a shift in voters’ attitude toward the political system traditionally dominated by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and the Kuomintang. But even as many voters look for politicians to address issues like the increasing cost of living, unaffordable housing, and low salaries, debate over the cross-strait relationship continues to underpin the political climate leading up to the elections. In an interview filmed on November 29, 2023, Dr. Wei-Ting Yen, joins us to discuss what voters in Taiwan have top of mind and what lessons the January elections carry for the United States and beyond. About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/taiwan-elections/ Read the transcript: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/taiwan-elections/ Follow Dr. Wei-Ting Yen on Twitter: @poscwty Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

The Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a high-level security and defense gathering, was convened from October 29 to 31 for the first time since 2019, with the theme, “Common Security, Lasting Peace.”  Delegates from over 40 countries, including the United States and Russia, attended.  What took place? What is the U.S. attitude toward the forum? What is the mood after the long gap in mil-to-mil communication since former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s 2022 Taiwan visit? What were the achievements of the forum; will it lead to a thaw between the two militaries? In a conversation moderated by Jennifer Staats on November 16, 2023, Chad Sbragia and Fiona Cunningham, who both attended the 2023 Xiangshan Forum, offer insiders’ views on the proceedings of China’s top annual security forum and discuss its significance. About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/beijing-xiangshan-forum/ Read the transcript: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/beijing-xiangshan-forum/ 2:17 Introduction to the Xiangshan forum and U.S. involvement 12:05 Xiangshan forum in current Chinese politics 16:53 U.S.-China security relationship global impact 23:43 What is Russia's role in global seucrity? 32:22 Forum overview: what is the future of China's security and defense? Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

U.S. President Joseph Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco on November 15, 2023. After what Biden referred to as “some of the most constructive and productive discussions we’ve had,” the two leaders separately announced progress on key issues including combatting the global drug trade, resuming military-to-military communication, importance of people-to-people dialogue, and the need to address AI risks. But flashpoint issues, such as wars in Europe and the Middle East, human rights, and cross-Taiwan Strait tensions remain unresolved.   Following the summit, how will U.S.-China relations evolve over the coming months? In an interview filmed on November 17, 2023, analyst and linguist Titilayo Ogundele joins the National Committee to discuss the impact of Xi’s visit and what we can expect to happen in the bilateral relationship.   About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/biden-and-xi-accomplish-apec/ Read the transcript: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/biden-and-xi-accomplish-apec/ Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Last night the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and The US-China Business Council co-hosted People's Republic of China President Xi Jinping following the long-anticipated meeting between Presidents Biden and Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco. On November 15, 2023, President Xi addressed the American public following remarks made by President of the US-China Business Council Craig Allen, U.S. secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and National Committee Chair Evan Greenberg.  Watch the livestream here: https://www.ncuscr.org/livestream/ Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

What can senior leaders do to ease tensions between the United States and China? U.S. President Joseph Biden and PRC President Xi Jinping are set to meet this week at the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit. It would be the first time President Xi Jinping has visited the United States since 2017, when he met with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Why is his visit so important right now? Professor of Political Science Jack Zhang joins the National Committee on November 9, 2023 to discuss the shared goals between the two leaders, predict the main takeaways from the APEC summit, and help us understand the summit in the greater context of U.S.-China relations. About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/biden-xi-apec-2023/ Follow Jack Zhang on Twitter: @HanFeiTzu Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

We are re-running an episode recorded in 2022 with Harvard University professor Yuhua Wang on Xi Jinping’s power and influence leading up to the meeting between Presidents Joseph Biden and Xi Jinping at the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit this week.   Listen to the original recording and read the transcript. About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/how-powerful-is-xi-jinping/ Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Dr. Ma Ying-jeou, former president of the Republic of China (Taiwan), has been studying the dynamic across the Strait for over 30 years. In 2015, Dr. Ma met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Singapore, the first face-to-face meeting between leaders from both sides of the Taiwan Strait since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. In an interview recorded on October 18, 2023, Dr. Ma shares insights and recommends solutions based on his personal experiences to the current sharp tensions in U.S.-China and cross-strait relations.  About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/ma-ying-jeou/ Read the transcript: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/ma-ying-jeou/ Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations held our annual black-tie Gala Dinner on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at The Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York. NBA All Stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady dive into their friendship, highlighting the importance of sports diplomacy and people-to-people exchange in the U.S.-China relationship. The two former Houston Rockets honor each other’s careers, experiences in the United States and China, and the impact of U.S.-China relations on the game. More about the 2023 Gala: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/2023-gala-dinner Watch the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltv109I8JXQ Follow Yao Ming on Twitter: @YaoMing Follow Tracy McGrady on Twitter: @tmac_213 Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Current U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns was the featured speaker for CHINA Town Hall 2023, a national conversation on how the U.S.-China relationship affects our communities. The nationwide virtual conversation, including live Q&A, took place on Wednesday, October 11, at 7:00 p.m. ET. About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/cth-2023-nicholas-burns/ Read the transcript here: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/cth-2023-nicholas-burns/ Follow Ambassador Nicholas Burns on Twitter: @USAmbchina Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).    

China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) turned 10 this year, and BRICS, the global economic organization made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has recently expanded. How will these two global endeavors impact the United States and global economic order? In an interview recorded on September 26, 2023, Ammar A. Malik, senior research scientist at AidData, joins the National Committee to discuss BRI and China involvement with BRICS+. REGISTER FOR CHINA TOWN HALL: https://www.tfaforms.com/5079195 Watch live: https://www.ncuscr.org/livestream/ About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/brics/ Read the transcript here: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/brics/ Follow Ammar Malik on Twitter: @MalikAmmar Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).  

Anxiety about China’s growing military capabilities to threaten Taiwan has induced alarm in Washington about whether the United States is capable of deterring attempts to seize Taiwan by force. This alarm feeds American impulses to alter longstanding policy, and to view challenges confronting Taiwan through a military lens. While Taiwan clearly is under growing military threat, it also is facing an intensifying Chinese political campaign to wear down the will of the Taiwan people. Ryan Hass, Richard Bush, and Bonnie Glaser argue in U.S.-Taiwan Relations: Will China’s Challenge Lead to a Crisis? that discussions of the future of Taiwan should focus on the island’s 23 million people. In an interview conducted on September 14, 2023, Richard Bush and Bonnie Glaser contend that conflict in the Taiwan Strait is not inevitable, and that it would be foolish for the United States to conclude that it is unavoidable. About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/u-s-taiwan-relations/ Read the transcript here: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/u-s-taiwan-relations/ Follow Bonnie Glaser on Twitter: @BonnieGlaser Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Selling to China: Stories of Success, Failure, and Constant Change, edited by Ker Gibbs, former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai during the U.S.-China trade war, is a sobering look at the realities of the intermeshed nature of the Chinese and American economies at a time of increasing political tension. Foreign companies are caught in the middle between compliance with U.S. laws and policies versus doing what is required for support and success in China and access to the world’s largest growth market. Opportunities still exist, but this is a dangerous and complicated time. In an interview conducted on August 31, 2023, Ker Gibbs discusses the challenges and opportunities of doing business in China at a time of tension and distrust in the bilateral relationship. About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/selling-to-china/ Read the transcript: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/selling-to-china/ Follow Ker Gibbs on Twitter: @KerGibbs Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

There are only an estimated 400 American students studying in China. This statistic indicates a sobering new reality for U.S.-China relations—one of decreasing interaction between young Americans and Chinese, and in turn increasing misinformation about China in the U.S. What role can educational institutions play in fostering healthier U.S.-China relations?  Joanna Waley-Cohen, provost of NYU Shanghai, joins us from Shanghai to discuss how a personal understanding of Chinese society and culture can impact students, and the continued necessity of educational ventures such as NYU Shanghai to improved U.S.-China relations.   About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/personal-experience-in-china/ Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

We are excited to announce the new name for this show: The US-China Podcast. The show will no longer be called NCUSCR Interviews, and we hope the new name makes it easier for you to find the same content we have always been producing and reach wider audiences seeking information on all things U.S.-China relations. Since 1966, the National Committee has been a leader in U.S.-China bilateral engagement and dialogue. We hope you enjoy The US-China Podcast! Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

China is deepening its ties with Latin American countries through free trade agreements and investments in Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure projects. At the same time, China’s recent plans to build an intelligence outpost in Cuba has alarmed the United States, but other Latin American neighbors do not necessarily share this sentiment. What is the historical relationship between China and Cuba? What are China’s strategic interests and involvement in Cuba and Latin America, and should the United States view them as national security concerns? In a conversation moderated by Margaret Myers on August 23, 2023, Adrian Hearn and Leland Lazarus discuss China’s growing influence in Cuba and its implications for the United States and Latin America. About the speakers Read the transcript Follow Leland Lazarus on Twitter: @LelandLazarus Follow Margaret Myers on Twitter: @MyersMargaret Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the population of foreigners and international students in China has decreased dramatically. How has the drop in international students impacted education in China? Jeremiah Jenne visits the United States from Beijing for the first time since before Beijing’s COVID lockdowns and discusses the importance of people-to-people exchange in 2023. About the speaker Follow Jeremiah Jenne on Twitter: @JeremiahJenne Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just for apps and algorithms. AI’s ability to sort through massive data sets has the potential to completely revolutionize the field of biotechnology, opening the door for real-world breakthroughs like climate change-resistant seeds or cures for genetic diseases. While scientists and firms from the United States and China are actively collaborating to explore this scientific frontier, increasing national security concerns put AI-biotech’s future development at risk. What is at risk when scientific exchange is limited?  Abigail Coplin, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Science, Technology and Society at Vassar College, joins the National Committee to discuss American and Chinese views on the importance of biotech, and the impact of national security on this emerging field.   About the speaker Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has the potential to revolutionize the way the world works and communicates. AI also plays an outsized role in technological competition between the United States and China, in what some call the “AI race.” What is China’s current stage in the AI race as compared to the United States, and what challenges and risks lie ahead in adopting AI technology?  About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/US-China-AI-Race/ Transcript: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/us-china-ai-race/ Follow Jeffrey Ding on Twitter: @jjding99 Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s June 2023 visit to China was a bid to normalize bilateral relations and re-establish regular channels of communication between the U.S. and China. Southeast Asian countries—which share close ties to both superpowers—are paying particularly close attention to whether the visit signals a turn in U.S.-China relations. Dr. Kanti Bajpai, vice dean and professor of international relations at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy based at the National University of Singapore, joins the National Committee to provide a Southeast Asian perspective on what Singapore and the broader region are expecting from the U.S.-China relationship moving forward. 1:29-5:08 Southeast Asian reactions to Secretary Blinken’s visit to China and U.S.-China relations   5:08-10:15 What does Singapore hope for U.S.-China cooperation?  10:15-21:49 U.S.-China-India relations: partners, competitors, or strategic threats?  21:49-31:42  How much is concern about China driving the United States to strengthen its relationship with India?  31:42- The future of India-Chinese conflict and Indian opinions towards the U.S.  About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/singapore-blinken-china-visit/ https://www.ncuscr.org/video/modi-visit-us-china-india/ Read transcript here: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/us-china-india-triangle/ Follow Dr. Kanti Bajpai on Twitter: @BajpaiKanti Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Canada’s role in the context of U.S.-China strategic competition is significant, given its historical relationships with both countries. While Canada normalized relations with China in 1970 and sought to strengthen the Canada-China relationship over the decades, its recent Indo-Pacific Strategy takes a much firmer stance than seen in the past, referring to China as a “disruptive power” that disregards international rules; nevertheless, Canada also recognizes that China will have to play an essential role in solving global challenges. When it comes to relations with and approaches to China, where do American and Canadian strategic interests and priorities overlap? Where do the United States and Canada see things differently? What are the main factors driving these dynamics? In an interview conducted June 22, 2023, Diana Fu, Gordon Houlden, and Pascale Massot discuss Canada-China relations and areas where the U.S. and Canadian Indo-Pacific Strategies converge and diverge. About the speakers 0:00-5:51 U.S.-Canadian policy comparison 5:51-14:27 Canada's reaction to Beijing 14:27- 24:50 China-Canada cooperation  Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy: https://www.international.gc.ca/transparency-transparence/assets/pdfs/indo-pacific-indo-pacifique/indo-pacific-indo-pacifique-en.pdf  Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy: New initiatives and resources: https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/11/canadas-indo-pacific-strategy-new-initiatives-and-resources.html Follow Diana Fu on Twitter: @dianafutweets Follow Gordon Houlden on Twitter: @GordonHoulden Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

From June 18-19, Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit China for meetings with high level officials in a bid to stabilize U.S.-China relations and re-establish regular diplomatic communications. After a similar trip was postponed earlier in 2023 due to the unauthorized entry of a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon into American airspace, all eyes will be on the U.S.-China diplomatic relationship.  Veteran diplomat Susan A. Thornton joins the National Committee to discuss why Secretary Blinken’s trip is so important at this moment and what a positive outcome of this meeting would look like for the United States, China, and the world.  About the speaker Follow Susan Thornton on Twitter: @suea_thornton Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

May was Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a chance to celebrate the history, diversity, and contributions of the over 25 million members of the AAPI community in the United States. But rising U.S.-China tensions have also come with consequences for the community, particularly Chinese Americans, who have reported increased discrimination and feelings of exclusion in the last few years. To commemorate AAPI Heritage Month, the Committee invited two professors who have deep experience with the Chinese American community —Qin Gao of Columbia University and Yingyi Ma at Syracuse University— to share their research and what AAPI Month means to them. 0:00-8:57 Discussing the "State of Chinese Americans" Survey with Professor Qin Gao 8:57-17:12 Professor Yingyi Ma on Chinese students studying in the United States  About Qin Gao About Yingyi Ma Anti-Racism Resources Follow Qin Gao on Twitter: @gaoqin505 Follow Yingyi Ma on Twitter: @yingyi_ma Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Admiral John C. Aquilino, 26th Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, was the keynote speaker at our Annual Members Program on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. His comments, conversation with National Committee President Stephen Orlins, and Q&A focused on Sino-American military policy in the context of the overall bilateral relationship. 0:00-3:57 Introduction 3:57-30:58 Admiral Aquilino’s remarks  30:58- 58:10 Aquilino discussion 58:10- Q&A About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/indopacom-aquilino/ Read the transcript: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/indopacom-aquilino/ Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in March 2023, a large majority of American adults (83 percent) continue to have negative views of China, and the share who have very unfavorable views (44 percent) has increased by four percentage points since last year. Around four-in-ten Americans also now describe China as an enemy of the United States, rather than as a competitor or a partner – up 13 points since last year.  Americans are broadly concerned about China’s role in the world. For example, 62 percent of Americans see the China-Russia partnership as a very serious problem for the United States, up five points since October. In an interview conducted on May 3, 2023, Laura Silver discusses the findings of the March 2023 survey. About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/pew-research-center-study-china/ Pew Research Center survey: https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2023/04/12/americans-are-critical-of-chinas-global-role-as-well-as-its-relationship-with-russia/#:~:text=Around%20four%2Din%2Dten%20Americans,2023%2C%20Pew%20Research%20Center%20survey. Read the transcript here: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/pew-research-center-study-china/ Follow Laura Silver on Twitter: @lauraruthsilver Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Conflicts over specific rules lie at the heart of China’s maritime disputes, which are about much more than sovereignty over islands and rocks in the South and East China Seas. Rather, the main contests concern the strategic maritime space associated with those islands. To consolidate control over these vital areas, China’s leaders have begun to implement “China’s law of the sea”: building domestic legal institutions, bureaucratic organizations, and a naval and maritime law enforcement apparatus to establish China’s preferred maritime rules on the water and in the diplomatic arena.   In China’s Law of the Sea, Isaac B. Kardon examines China’s laws and policies and analyzes other claimants’ reactions to China’s practices, because other states must acquiesce for China’s preferences to become international rules. In an interview conducted on April 28, 2023, Isaac Kardon discusses with Bonnie Glaser China’s legal and policy efforts to defend, exploit, administer, and patrol disputed waters. 0:00-1:00 introductions 1:00-7:50 China’s maritime evolution 7:50-17:45 South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait 17:45-24:09 Southeast Asian maritime order 24:09- How should the world respond? About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/chinas-law-of-the-seas/ Read the transcript here: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/chinas-law-of-the-seas/ Follow Bonnie Glaser on Twitter: @BonnieGlaser Follow Isaac Kardon on Twitter: @IBKardon Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE) is on a mission to clean up severe air and water pollution in China. Ma Jun, founding director of IPE, discusses the innovation of the Blue Map app and IPE’s efforts to speed up climate actions domestically and abroad.   In an interview conducted on April 10, 2023, IPE founder Ma Jun discusses the latest developments in IPE’s work.  About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/united-states-china-clean-energy/ Learn more about IPE and China’s climate mitigation here Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Segment 1: China's nonprofit Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE) was founded in 2006 to address severe air and water pollution in China and to help safeguard the global environment. It developed the Blue Map, China's first public environmental database and mobile app that tracks air, water, soil, and ocean quality data, as well as the performance of hundreds of thousands of major emitters. The information has been a potent aid for improving environmental governance across China. In 2020, IPE launched the Blue Map for Zero Carbon, and continues to use cooperation between companies, government, NGOs, research organizations and other stakeholders to achieve environmental transformation, promote environmental information disclosure and improve environmental governance mechanisms. Segment 2: Energy Foundation China is a grantmaking charitable organization registered in California (formally separate from the U.S. Energy Foundation since 2019). It has been working in China since 1999, and is dedicated to China’s sustainable energy development. The Foundation’s vision is to achieve prosperity and a safe climate through sustainable energy. Its mission is to realize greenhouse gas emissions neutrality, world-class air quality, energy access, and green growth through transforming energy and optimizing economic structure. The Foundation works across seven fields: power, industry, transportation, cities, environmental management, low carbon economic growth, and strategic communications. In an interview moderated by David Sandalow on April 10, 2023, Energy Foundation China President Zou Ji discusses the latest developments in the clean energy transition in China, the priorities of the Energy Foundation, and how the international community is doing in responding to climate change. About the speakers: www.ncuscr.org/event/climate-action-ipe/ www.ncuscr.org/event/energy-foundation-china/ Read the podcast transcripts here: www.ncuscr.org/podcast/climate-action-ipe/ www.ncuscr.org/podcast/energy-foundation-china/ Follow David Sandalow on Twitter: @dsandalow Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Is China ahead of the United States in developing green technology? Amid the tensions of great power competition and climate change, what can the U.S. and China learn from each other when it comes to protecting the environment? In this special edition Earth Day podcast, we pulled the best content from our 2023 Earth Month interview series to answer the most urgent questions on the U.S.-China climate relationship with insights from American and Chinese experts. Joining us for this episode are the following four experts on China and the climate crisis: Angel Hsu, assistant professor of public policy and the environment at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Joanna Lewis, Provost’s Distinguished Associate Professor of Energy and Environment and director of the Science, Technology and International Affairs Program at Georgetown University Zou Ji, president of the Energy Foundation China Ma Jun, founding director of the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs (IPE) About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/podcast/earth-day-2023 Read the transcript for this podcast Follow Angel Hsu on Twitter: @ecoangelhsu Follow Joanna Lewis on Twitter: @JoannaILewis Follow Ma Jun on Twitter: @MJ_GreenFinance Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

The unauthorized entry of a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon into American airspace has provided a unique opportunity to examine the ability of Washington and Beijing to handle diplomatic crises. The incident leaves us wondering how the United States can better understand Chinese bureaucratic structure and decision-making and thus more effectively modulate its responses to unforeseen events. How will the two countries deescalate tensions when something more serious than a rogue balloon agitates the relationship? As the ability to interpret signaling accurately and maintain de-escalatory communication between the United States and China become more critical, so too will understanding the answers to these questions.  In an interview conducted by Oriana Skylar Mastro on April 13, Tyler Jost and Susan Thornton help contextualize the spy balloon incident within China’s bureaucratic decision-making. 0-1:26 Introductions 1:26- 5:38 Why was the balloon a big deal? 5:38-9:54 The (lack of) airspace regulations 9:54-18:24 The U.S. reaction 18:24-24:04 U.S.-China Crisis communication 24:04-26:54 Lightning round 26:54- Who owes who an apology? About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/spy-balloon-china/ Read the transcript for this podcast Follow Susan Thornton on Twitter: @suea_thornton Follow Tyler Jost on Twitter: @tcjost Follow Oriana Skylar Mastro on Twitter: @osmastro About the speakersSubscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Reporting on China is challenging and important. Assignment China tells the stories of some of the American journalists who have covered China from the time of the civil war of the 1940s through the COVID-19 pandemic. Former China correspondent Mike Chinoy assembles personal accounts from eminent journalists who share their stories of reporting on historic moments such as President Richard Nixon’s groundbreaking visit in 1972, China’s opening up to the outside world and its emergence as a global superpower, and the crackdowns in Tiananmen Square and Xinjiang. They describe the challenges of covering a complex society and offer insight into eight decades of tumultuous political, economic, and social change. In an interview conducted on March 22, 2023, Mike Chinoy and Lenora Chu discuss the people who have covered China for American media and how they have shaped American understanding of China. 0:00-3:30 background  3:30-10:11  truth vs. fiction 10:11-18:09 pre- and post- Mao era media relations 18:09-31:43 Journalism in the Deng era, Tiananmen Square 31:43- How have journalism and narratives changed? About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/american-correspondents-in-china/ Read the transcript for this podcast Follow Mike Chinoy on Twitter: @mikechinoy Follow Lenora Chu on Twitter: @LenoraChu About the speakersSubscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

On March 5, 2023, China set a GDP growth target of around five percent for 2023, which is lower than expected. What are the major challenges and risks for China’s economic growth in 2023 and beyond? Where do the strengths in China’s economy lie? Both the promise of continued export and consumption growth and the threat of rising debt and property sector instability raise critical questions. How will tariffs, trade imbalances, and geopolitics affect China’s economic prospects? In an interview conducted in partnership with Peking University’s National School of Development on March 14, 2023, Dr. Hu Yifan and Dr. Lu Feng provide their forecasts of China’s economy for the coming year. 0:00-2:10 introductions  2:10-10:10 Predictions for 2023 10:10-23:10 incentives, growth, and economic policy 23:10-31:53 China’s population demographics and economy 31:53-43:15 U.S.-China cooperation and trade 43:15-50:06 Bank failures, nervous markets 50:06- State of the RMB and USD About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/forecast-of-chinas-economy-for-2023/ Read the transcript for this podcast About the speakersSubscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

What are the implications of this year’s Two Sessions for President Xi Jinping and the latest roster of Party leaders, for those in the United States with a close eye on the U.S.-China relationship, and for the Chinese people? In an interview conducted on March 20, 2023, Dimitar Gueorguiev speaks with Rory Truex, and Ling Li about the 2023 Two Sessions in the context of China’s domestic and international policies.   The annual meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), known as the “Two Sessions” or “Lianghui,” feature the gathering of political leaders in Beijing each spring to announce plans and goals for the coming year. In 2023, after a period of dramatic changes including China’s new approach to COVID-19, an economic downturn, and the war in Ukraine, the significance for the world of political events in China is clearer than ever.    About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/two-sessions-many-implications/ Read the transcript of this conversation Follow Ling Li on Twitter: @lingli_vienna Follow Rory Truex on Twitter: @rorytruex Follow Dimitar Gueorguiev on Twitter: @DimitarGueorg1 Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Over the past few years, we have marked the 50th anniversaries of official visits to China by then National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger and President Richard Nixon. Historians have scrutinized the records of their conversations with Chinese leaders, but less attention has been given to people-to-people exchange that began with “ping-pong diplomacy.” Based on archival sources in China and the United States and numerous interviews, Pete Millwood argues in Improbable Diplomats that the significance of cultural and scientific exchanges goes beyond reacquainting the Chinese and American people with each other after two decades of minimal contact; exchanges also influenced Sino-American diplomatic relations and helped transform post-Mao China. In an interview conducted on March 9, 2023, Pete Millwood discusses with Alison Friedman how a diverse cast of Chinese and Americans – athletes and physicists, performing artists and seismologists – played a critical, but often overlooked, role in remaking U.S.-China relations. About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/improbable-diplomats-us-china/ Read the transcript of this conversation Follow Pete Millwood on Twitter: @PeteMillwood Follow Alison Friedman on Twitter: @AlisonMFriedman Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

In Dictatorship and Information, Martin K. Dimitrov offers an approach to understanding possible solutions to the dictator’s dilemma (the balance between authoritarian governments’ use of information communication technology for economic development and the need to control the democratizing influences of this technology), which arises from the difficulty of calibrating repression and concessions due to distorted information about elite and popular discontent. Dr. Dimitrov argues that communist regimes are adept at developing sophisticated systems that mobilize the party, state security, and internal journalism to assess levels of dissent. Drawing from evidence across multiple communist regimes and numerous interviews, Professor Dimitrov contributes to our understanding of how autocrats learn – or don’t learn – about the societies they rule, and how they maintain or lose their hold on power. In an interview conducted on March 7, 2023, Martin Dimitrov discusses information-gathering of communist regimes and how it extends authoritarian governments’ tenure with Kellee Tsai. About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/dictatorship-information-china/ Read the transcript of this conversation Follow Kellee Tsai on Twitter: @HongKongKellee Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Ever since a balloon flew from China over the United States in February, concerns about surveillance have been at the forefront of U.S.-China relations. But the two countries have a long history of spying on each other. In this short explainer, John Delury contextualizes the current tensions and assesses just how worried Americans should be about Chinese espionage. If you missed it, listen to our interview from January with John Delury, Gina Tam, and Jerome Cohen on John's new book, Agents of Subversion: The Fate of John T. Downey and the CIA's Covert War in China. About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/chinese-espionage/ Read the transcript of this conversation  Follow John Delury on Twitter: @JohnDelury Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

With Chinese President Xi Jinping’s political authority unmatched, his sense of mission to restore what he believes is China’s natural position as a great power drives the nation’s foreign policy. When China was weak, it was subordinated to others. Now China is strong, and wants others to fall in line, at least on the issues involving what it regards as core national interests. In The Dragon Roars Back, Suisheng Zhao weaves together complex events, processes, and players in an analysis of Chinese foreign policy transitions since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, and Xi Jinping were and are transformational leaders who have charted unique courses of Chinese foreign policy in the quest for security, prosperity, and power. In an interview conducted on February 15, 2023, Suisheng Zhao discusses the key leaders who have shaped Chinese foreign policy with Sheena Chestnut Greitens. About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/dragon-roars-back-chinese-foreign-policy/ Read the transcript to this conversation  Follow Suisheng Zhao on Twitter: @SuishengZhao Follow Sheen Greitens on Twitter: @SheenaGreitens Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Since its advent in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, blockchain technology has taken the economic world by storm. Open-source blockchain transactions have increased the speed of, and trust in, cross-border financial transactions. Many in the United States see the technology as a new and improved medium to raise and exchange capital. In China, the technology, though much more tightly regulated, has likewise begun to proliferate and has even been identified as one of China’s seven “frontier technologies” in its 14th Five Year Plan (2021-2025). Blockchain has the potential to transform industries in both countries and globally. This pioneering system is at the forefront of U.S.-China technological competition, and both nations have the potential to use the technology to remake the global financial system. In an interview conducted on February 9, 2023, Paul Triolo examines recent developments in China’s blockchain evolution, focusing on its role in the U.S.-China relationship. 0:00-4:08 Introduction, What is blockchain? 4:08-15:11China’s innovation and regulation 15:11-20:09 Can we regulate cryptocurrency? 20:09-26:18 U.S.-China blockchain regulation 26:18- the metaverse About the speakers: www.ncuscr.org/event/blockchain-china-prc/ Read the transcript to this conversation  Follow Paul Triolo on Twitter: @pstAsiatech Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

In the year since Russia invaded Ukraine, U.S.-China relations have continued to deteriorate; one factor is Beijing’s continued support of Moscow’s position and rhetoric. What does Beijing gain from its tacit backing of Russia? How successful have the U.S.-led sanctions been at stemming Russia’s war effort? As China reopens its economy and looks to rebuild its international business and diplomatic relationships after three years of Covid lockdowns, how does its relationship with Russia affect China’s strategic, economic, and diplomatic goals? Yun Sun discusses the dynamics among China, Russia, and the United States in an interview conducted on February 17, 2023. 0:00-0:45 introductions  0:45-10:07 What is China’s impact on the war? China-Russia trade and relations 10:07-13:28 Ukraine-Taiwan parallels  13:28-20:34 China in the middle 20:34- 23:42 The impact on U.S.-China relations 23:42- The future of China-Russia relations  About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/eyes-on-ukraine-part-iii/ Read the transcript to this conversation  Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Summer 2022 was hot! On June 25, the temperature in Hebei province reached 111.6°, breaking an all-time record. A few weeks later, the temperature in Shanghai hit 105.6°, the highest ever recorded there. On July 19, weather stations in the United Kingdom recorded temperatures above 104° for the first time in history; in the United States, at least 43 locations broke or tied their records for the hottest July ever. The temperature in western Iran reached 128.5° on August 9, the highest August temperature ever recorded in Asia. Increasingly severe and frequent storms, droughts, and floods lie ahead, and seas are rising. As the world’s leading emitter of heat-trapping gases by a wide margin, there is no solution to climate change without China. In an interview conducted on February 3, 2023, Guide to China’s Climate Policy 2022 co-authors David Sandalow and Edmund Downie discuss China’s role in facing the global challenge presented by climate change with Angel Hsu. 0:00-1:14 Introductions  1:14-9:38 China’s climate background and efforts 9:38-20:24 China’s climate market 20:24-24:48 What will it take to lower coal consumption? 24:48- U.S.-China climate cooperation About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/guide-to-chinas-climate-policy-2022/ Read the transcript to this conversation  Follow David Sandalow on Twitter: @dsandalow Follow Edmund Downie on Twitter: @ned_downie Follow Angel Hsu on Twitter: @ecoangelhsu Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Agents of Subversion reconstructs the story of a botched mission into Manchuria, placing it in the context of a wider CIA campaign against China. In the winter of 1952, the CIA flew a covert mission into China to pick up an agent. One of the Americans on the mission, a recent Yale graduate named John T. Downey, ended up a prisoner in China for the next twenty years. The U.S. government kept the public in the dark about decades of covert activity directed against China while Downey languished in a Beijing prison and his mother lobbied desperately for his release. John Delury sheds new light on Mao’s campaigns to eliminate counterrevolutionaries and on his use of captive spies in diplomacy with the West. In an interview conducted on January 25, 2023, John Delury and Jerome Cohen discuss Downey’s story and its implication for today with Gina Tam. 0:00-2:11 introductions  2:11-11:03 Who was John Downey?  11:03-15:44 Cold War framework 15:44-23:16 What did it have to take for Downey’s release? 23:16-29:10 CIA activity in China 29:10- U.S.-China cooperation About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/agents-of-subversion-john-t-downey/ Read the transcript to this conversation  Follow John Delury on Twitter: @JohnDelury Follow Jerome Cohen on Twitter: @jeromeacohen Follow Gina Tam on Twitter: @DGTam86 Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

As tensions continue to rise between the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan, analysts and officials warn of a growing risk of military conflict, which could potentially draw in the United States. How worried should we be about a war in the Taiwan Strait? Scott L. Kastner sheds new light on the prospects for cross-strait military conflict in his new book, War and Peace in the Taiwan Strait. He examines several key regional trends that have complex implications for stability, including deepening economic integration, the shifting balance of military power, uncertainty about the future of U.S. commitment, and domestic political changes in both the PRC and Taiwan. While the risks of conflict are real, they should not be exaggerated. In an interview conducted by Jessica Chen Weiss on January 11, 2023, Scott Kastner argues that several distinct pathways could lead to the breakout of hostilities, yet war is not inevitable. 0:00-2:05 Introductions  2:05-7:45 Background on Taiwan 7:45-14:42 How can we avoid conflict while navigating U.S.-China relations? 14:42-20:08 The possibility of unification  20:08-25:00 What are Beijing’s challenges? 25:00-28:54 What is the future of Taiwan? 28:54-Avoiding tragedy About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/war-and-peace-taiwan-strait/ Find the transcript to this conversation here Follow Jessica Chen Wiess on Twitter: @jessicacweiss Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

The growth of markets and consumerism in China’s post-Mao era of political and economic reform is familiar. The Mao period (1949–1976), by contrast, a time of scarcity, appears to have had little material culture. In reality, people attributed great meaning to materials and objects, often precisely because they were rare, expensive, and difficult to obtain. Material Contradictions in Mao’s China, essays on art, cinema, culture, performance, and more, explores the paradox of material culture under Chinese Communist Party rule and illustrates how central material culture was to social and economic construction of the country and to projections of a socialist utopia within reach of every person, if only they worked hard enough. In an interview conducted on December 9, 2022, Material Contradictions co-editors Jennifer Altehenger and Denise Ho, in conversation with Philip Tinari, discuss the significance of physical objects during the Mao period. 0:00-2:22 Introductions  2:22-8:27 Material Contradictions Under Mao 8:27- 17:28 Objects, scarcity, and abundance 17:28-25:45 The political and the commodity 25:45- Agency in consumerism About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/material-culture-maos-china/ Follow Philip Tinati on Twitter: @philiptinari Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Stephen Roach’s new book, Accidental Conflict: America, China, and the Clash of False Narratives, examines the ominous trajectory of conflict escalation between the United States and China and offers suggestions for resolution. In just four years, two countries have entered a trade war, a tech war, and perhaps a new Cold War. This conflict between the world’s two most powerful nations would not have happened but for an unnecessary clash of false narratives. The United States falsely blames its trade and technology threats on China yet overlooks its shaky saving foundation. China falsely blames its growth challenges on America’s alleged containment of market-based socialism, ignoring its failed economic rebalancing. In an interview conducted on December 19, 2022, Stephen Roach argues that much of the rhetoric on both sides is dangerously misguided, more a reflection of each nation’s fears and vulnerabilities than a reasonable assessment of the risks they face. 0:00-3:35 U.S.-China uncomfortable codependency 3:35-10:23 False narratives of technology and IP theft 10:23-17:36 Bipartisan rhetoric and economics 17:36-23:48 the trajectory of U.S.-China trade 23:48-26:15 Does China need the U.S.? 26:15-30:35 Economic competition 30:35-Conflict resolutions About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/us-china-false-narratives/ Follow Stephen Roach on Twitter: @SRoach_econ Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Former Ambassador to China, Russia, and Singapore Jon M. Huntsman Jr. was the featured speaker for CHINA Town Hall 2022, a national conversation on how the U.S.-China relationship affects our communities. From supply chains to national security, new technologies to climate change, the future of both countries will be determined by their relations with one another and the global community. The National Committee held a nationwide virtual conversation on Wednesday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. EST, including Q&A, with a leading authority on foreign policy. As one of few Americans to personally know Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, Ambassador Huntsman discussed the ways America can cooperate and compete with China, as both countries confront the most critical issues of the 21st century. About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/cth-2022-jon-huntsman/ Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

For much of 2022, the entire planet has been struggling to cope with extreme weather events, ranging from brutal heatwaves and severe droughts in some regions to record rainfall and catastrophic flooding in others. Despite this, in early August, Beijing suspended ongoing U.S.-China talks on climate change in response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. While some climate experts have argued that what matters most in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is for the United States and China to take action domestically, the suspension of talks represents a shift in the effort to shield the climate agenda from geopolitics and has implications for the ability of each country, and the world, to meet essential reduction targets. In conversation with Alex Wang on November 1, 2022, Michael Davidson and Joanna Lewis discuss the significance of the downturn in U.S.-China relations on multilateral climate action. 2:22 How will U.S.-China tensions affect COP27? 6:24 How important is U.S.-China cooperation to global climate action? 9:18 Can the U.S. and China cooperate after COP27? 15:00 Will U.S.-China competition benefit or harm climate action efforts? 25:30 How can the U.S. support domestic climate action initiatives? 30:38 Why is energy security so important? About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/us-china-climate-action/  Follow Michael Davidson on Twitter:  @east_winds Follow Joanna Lewis on Twitter: @JoannaILewis Follow Alex Wang on Twitter: @greenlawchina Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

In Trafficking Data, Aynne Kokas examines how technology firms in the two largest economies in the world, the United States and China, exploit government policy (and the lack thereof) to gather information on citizens, putting American national security at risk. She argues that U.S. government leadership failures, Silicon Valley’s disruption preoccupation, and Wall Street’s addiction to growth have fueled China’s technological gold rush. Drawing on extensive fieldwork in the two countries and numerous corporate and policy documents, Trafficking Data explains how China is fast becoming the global leader in internet governance and policy, and thus of the data that defines our public and private lives. In an interview conducted on October 11, 2022, Aynne Kokas, in conversation with Silvia Lindtner, argues that American complacency provides Chinese firms the opportunity to gather data in the United States and send it back to China, and by extension, to the Chinese government. 0:00 Introductions 2:04 China’s technological advances and geopolitical power 9:08 United States and China as digitized nations 16:38 Population biometric data and Zero-COVID 20:38 Can data science map Chinese society during the COVID-19 pandemic? About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/trafficking-data-china/ Follow Aynne Kokas on Twitter: @AynneKokas Follow Silvia Lindtner on Twitter: @yunnia Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

In the wake of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s high profile visit to Taiwan in August, public focus on the island has reached a crescendo as Chinese military maneuvers and government rhetoric continue to escalate. How has Taiwan dealt with the increased volatility? How has the war in Ukraine affected China’s decision-making going forward? Are Taiwan’s global economic ties and critical role in technology supply chains strong enough to help deter a wider conflict? Most importantly, what does it all mean for ordinary Taiwanese? In a conversation moderated by Sara Newland on October 12, 2022, leading Taiwan experts Jessica Drun and Lev Nachman explore Taiwan’s complex dynamics and implications for the United States and the U.S.-China relationship. 2:07 How did Taiwanese respond to Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit? 9:53 Is the war in Ukraine shifting behavior in Taiwan? 14:08 What's happening with the Taiwanese elections in 2022 and 2024? 18:23 What is the future of the KMT? 22:21 How has Taiwan capitalized on recent soft power wins? 26:38 What should people know about Taiwan? About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/taiwan-complex-hotspot/ Follow Jessica Drun on Twitter: @jessicadrun Follow Lev Nachman on Twitter: @lnachman32 Follow Sara Newland on Twitter: @NewlandSara Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

For several decades after “reform and opening” began in 1978, China’s leaders adopted a restrained approach to foreign policy, assuring the world of its peaceful intentions. Then, as Susan Shirk argues in her latest book, Overreach: How China Derailed its Peaceful Rise, China went from fragile superpower to global heavyweight, threatening Taiwan and its neighbors in the South China Sea, tightening its grip on Hong Kong, and openly challenging the United States for preeminence economically, technologically, and militarily. In an interview conducted on October 13, 2022, Susan Shirk urges the United States and other countries to respond to China’s overreach with restraint. Understanding the domestic roots of China’s actions will enable the world to avoid the mistakes that could lead to war. 0:00 Introduction 6:05 How is China responding to changes in society? 11:13 The relationship between Beijing, Taiwan, and overseas 18:17 Confucius Institutes as symbols 19:53 Xi Jinping, popularity, and Zero-COVID 26:20 U.S. position on China About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/china-rise-overreach/ Follow Susan Shirk on Twitter: @SusanShirk1 Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Semiconductors have become a critical policy issue around the world, making news because of their importance for everything from cellphones to nuclear weapons, as supply chain bottlenecks and political confrontations drive up scarcity and price. Global companies like TSMC and Huawei face difficult operating landscapes as they seek greater regulatory harmonization and clarity. What role do semiconductors play in the relationships among the United States, China, and Taiwan? Technology policy expert Paul Triolo joined National Committee President Stephen Orlins for an interview conducted on September 30, 2022, to examine the complex geopolitical tensions surrounding the global semiconductor industry, its role in the U.S.-China relationship, and potential ways forward for the United States and China. 0:00 Introduction 1:43 Why are semiconductors important? 4:44 Will China's semiconductor industry succeed? 9:36 U.S. response and dependence on Taiwan 16:09 Is the CHIPS Act good policy? 20:24 Restrictions, competition, and supply chain About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/semiconductors-us-china-relations/ Follow Paul Triolo on Twitter: @pstAsiatech Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

For decades Americans have described China as a rising power. That description no longer fits: China has already risen. What does this mean for the U.S.-China relationship, for the global economy, and for international security? Covering security, economics, military development, climate change, public health, science and technology, education, and Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Xinjiang, the essays in The China Questions 2 look at key sites of friction and potential areas for collaboration. In an interview conducted on September 21, 2022, China Questions 2 co-editors Maria Adele Carrai and Michael Szonyi argue that we are not facing Cold War 2.0, but rather a complex mix of conflict, competition, and cooperation that must be understood in the domestic realities of the United States and China, as well as the international context. 0:00-2:51 Introduction 2:51-10 Key questions and accessibility  10:00-15:13 Chinese constructive engagement  15:13-20:12 U.S. economic involvement and revisionist powers 20:13-24:07 Has constructive engagement failed? 24:07-36:11The China Questions 2 About the speakers:  https://www.ncuscr.org/event/china-questions-2/ Follow Maria Adele Carrai on Twitter: @adele_carrai Follow Michael Szonyi on Twitter: @MichaelSzonyi Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).  

How does restraint in Chinese statecraft challenge the standard narrative about rising powers’ behavior? Conventional wisdom holds that China’s rise is disrupting the global balance of power in unpredictable ways. However, China has often deferred to the consensus of smaller neighboring countries on regional security. In Power and Restraint in China’s Rise (Columbia University Press), Chin-Hao Huang argues that China’s aspirations for legitimacy and acceptance provide a rationale for refraining from coercive measures. His findings show why paying attention to the targets of Chinese power matters and what the future of engagement with China might look like. In a conversation with Carl Minzner conducted on September 16, 2022, Chin-Hao Huang explains why China considers the views and interests of small states, and how collective action can induce change in its behavior. 0:00-2:51 Introduction 2:51-10 Key questions and accessibility 10:00-15:13 Chinese constructive engagement 15:13-20:12 U.S. economic involvement and revisionist powers 20:13-24:07 Has constructive engagement failed? 24:07-36:11The China Questions 2 About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/power-and-restraint-chinas-rise/ Follow Carl Minzner on Twitter: @CarlMinzner Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Following decades of growth and development, Chinese officials, businesses, and institutions now play a critical role in every major global issue. The challenges posed by climate change, pandemics, and emerging technologies make dealing with the Chinese state, its firms, and other institutions more complex and more critical than ever before. In China’s Next Act: How Sustainability and Technology are Reshaping China’s Rise and the World’s Future (Oxford University Press), Scott Moore argues that none of these increasingly pressing, shared global challenges can be tackled without China and, as a result, that the world must re-envision China’s rise and global role in in terms of sustainability and technology. In conversation with Angel Hsu on September 15, 2022, Dr. Moore explores China’s part to play in tackling shared ecological and technological challenges. 1:51-6:14 Why now? U.S.-China scientific collaboration or rivalry? 6:14-10:30 Cooperation vs. competition 10:30-14:00 Climate and clean energy 14:00-20:22 Can we cooperate with China on climate policy? 20:22-24:45 Chinese innovation 24:45-31:04 How to reengage with Chinese counterparts About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/chinas-next-act/ Follow Scott Moore on Twitter: @water_futures Follow Angel Hsu on Twitter: @ecoangelhsu Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

As China and the United States increasingly compete for power in key areas of U.S. influence, great power conflict looms. China’s Rise in the Global South examines China’s behavior as a rising power in two key global south regions: the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. Dawn Murphy compares and analyzes thirty years of China’s interactions with these regions in several areas: politics, economics, foreign aid, and military. From the Belt and Road Initiative to the founding of new cooperation forums and special envoys, Dr. Murphy’s book offers an in-depth look at China’s foreign policy approach to the countries it considers its partners in South-South cooperation. In a conversation with Lina Benabdallah held on August 19, 2022, Dawn C. Murphy argues that China is constructing an alternative international order. 0:00- 3:33  Introduction 3:33-7:50 China’s Alternative World Order 7:50-17:45 China in the Middle East and Africa 17:45-25:45 Chinese-Global South mediation and diplomacy 25:45- 30:08 China studies during COVID 30:08- Economic slowdown About the speakers: https://ncuscr.org/events/chinas-rise-global-south Follow Lina Benabdallah on Twitter: @LBenabdallah Follow Dawn Murphy on Twitter: @DawnMurphyChina Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr). Disclaimer: The views expressed in this interview are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the National Defense University, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

Will China become the global leader in higher education in the 21st century? The modern research university was born in 19th century Germany; during the 20th, the United States took the lead. In his book Empires of Ideas, William C. Kirby argues that Chinese universities are among the most innovative educational centers in the world. Professor Kirby examines the successes of several leading universities in Germany and the United States, and compares them to three Chinese universities aspiring to become world-class institutions that can compete with the best that United States and Europe have to offer. In an interview conducted on August 16, 2022, William C. Kirby examines the rise of the modern research university and liberal education, and the challenges facing higher education institutions in China, the United States, and Germany. 0:00 How did U.S. universities come to lead the world? 3:58 What makes a great university? 6:16 How did the German university model change higher education? 9:53: Why are Harvard, Berkeley, and Duke important to understand for the future of U.S. higher ed? 17:08 What can about Tsinghua, Nanjing University, and the University of Hong Kong tell us about Chinese higher ed? 26:00 Are there barriers to conducting research at Chinese universities? 29:03 Is the deteriorating U.S.-China relationship affecting higher ed in both countries? About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/chinese-modern-universities/ Follow William C. Kirby on Twitter (@BillKirbyHBS) Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

China’s engagement and influence in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have grown with the expansion of the Belt and Road Initiative into the region. Increased American attention suggests changes in a complex triangular relationship. What is China's ambition in the region? What would LAC countries stand to gain from more robust partnerships with China? Will they feel pressure to choose between China and the United States? In a conversation moderated by Xiaoyu Pu on August 12, 2022, Álvaro Méndez and Margaret Myers discuss China’s growing involvement in LAC and its implications for the United States. About the speakers: https://ncuscr.org/events/latin-america-china Follow Xiaoyu Pu on Twitter: @pu_xiaoyu Follow Margaret Myers on Twitter: @MyersMargaret Follow Álvaro Méndez on Twitter: @alvaroimendez Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was first discussed ten years ago. What has happened over the past ten years? Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, BRI’s current state and future trajectories are more confusing and controversial than ever. Do China’s leading coalitions still support BRI? Min Ye discusses the current status and future directions of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in conversation with Ka Zeng. 0:00 Introduction 2:20 Who are the BRI actors? 7:48 Global and domestic impact 14:39 Transparency and corruption 20:30 U.S.-China competition 30:14 Economy 32:24 Cooperation About the speakers: https://ncuscr.org/events/chinas-belt-and-road Follow Min Ye on Twitter: @beltbeyond Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Taiwan is a major flashpoint amid escalating tensions in U.S.-China relations. Ryan Hass, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, explains U.S. policy on Taiwan and China’s forceful reactions to perceived changes in the status quo. 0:48 — One China Principle vs Policy 3:11 — What is strategic ambiguity? 6:05 — Pelosi's Taiwan visit—why does China care so much? 10:32 — Future of U.S.-China relations About the speaker: https://ncuscr.org/events/taiwan-china-united-states Follow Ryan Hass on Twitter: @ryanl_hass Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Increasingly powerful, prosperous, and authoritarian, China under the leadership of Xi Jinping has become an increasingly intense competitor across the globe economically, technologically, diplomatically, militarily, and in seeking to influence people’s hearts and minds. But what does China ultimately want in the world? In Daring to Struggle: China’s Global Ambitions Under Xi Jinping, Bates Gill explains the fundamental motivations driving the country’s dynamic, assertive, and risk-taking approach to the world under Xi Jinping. In an interview conducted on July 21, 2022, Bates Gill analyzes how the pursuit of six major goals – legitimacy, sovereignty, wealth, power, leadership, and ideas – shapes China’s foreign relationships in its Indo-Pacific neighborhood and beyond. 0:00 The book 2:51 Economic growth 8:48 Taiwan 14:23 Xinjiang 18:47 Ukraine 21:55 China as a military threat 26:07 Can diplomacy work? 29:44 People-to-people exchange 33:00 Xi Jinping's mission About the speaker: https://ncuscr.org/events/daring-to-struggle Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Find the link to Michael Swaine's report here: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/threat-inflation-chinese-military/ According to a recent report by Michael D. Swaine, framing the military challenge Beijing poses in alarmist, worst-case ways weakens the U.S. ability to determine the limits of Chinese threats. It also undermines voices within China that favor moderation, raises the danger of Sino-American crises and military conflict, and diverts U.S. resources away from desperately needed nonmilitary uses at home and abroad. The United States cannot build its way out of the deepening military competition with China, nor develop a successful long-term China strategy based on inflated threats. It must accept the logic of balance over dominance in many areas, fashion credible strategies designed both to deter and reassure Beijing in both the regional and global arenas, and strengthen its capacities at home. Michael Swaine discusses more effective approaches than threat inflation to facing China’s increasingly powerful military in an interview conducted on July 8, 2022. About the speaker: https://ncuscr.org/events/threat-inflation-chinese-military Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr)

What is Hong Kong? According to the British, a “barren rock” without meaningful history; to China, a part of Chinese soil from the beginning of time, finally returned to its rightful place in 1997. When protests erupted in 2019 and were met with escalating suppression, Louisa Lim, a journalist raised in Hong Kong who as an adult has covered the region for more than a decade, felt compelled to tell Hong Kong’s untold stories. In Indelible City: Dispossession and Defiance in Hong Kong, Dr. Lim combines history and memoir to explicate Hong Kong’s history, the present reality that Hong Kong is not “just another Chinese city,” and the future that may be unfolding. In an interview conducted on June 27, 2022, Louisa Lim centers Hong Kongers as she discusses a diverse cast of characters including the memorable and mysterious King of Kowloon. About the speaker: https://ncuscr.org/events/indelible-city-hong-kong

In China’s Economic Challenge: Unconventional Success, Albert Keidel examines the economic approaches responsible for China’s 40 years of rapid growth, suggesting how such strategies might be applied elsewhere. He discusses the government’s leadership role, success in poverty reduction, and international finance and trade experience. The book reviews why China’s success challenges the United States and the field of development economics. He describes how generous rural price and land-tenure reform in the 1980s caused a rural income boom that threatened urban subsidized livelihoods and underpinned consequent violence. China may face similar challenges moving forward, during the planned merger of the rural and urban work forces. In an interview conducted on June 17, 2022, Albert Keidel analyzes the institutions and policies responsible for China’s successful development and possible future trajectory, examines the U.S.-China trade war, and considers the country’s economic prospects in light of COVID-19.

Less than a century ago, China faced myriad challenges in catching up to a world that had passed it by technologically. In her new book, Kingdom of Charactes, Jing Tsu breaks down how the monumental and transformative task of bringing the Chinese language into the modern era also modernized China itself. Jing Tsu joined the National Committee on June 1, 2022 to discuss the visionaries, reformers, and revolutionaries whose linguistic innovations made China’s ascent to its global role today possible.

China is under scrutiny as it attempts to quash its largest COVID-19 outbreak since the early days of the pandemic. The latest wave of infections is the most serious in the country since the disease first emerged in Wuhan two years ago and is putting the government under immense pressure as it sticks with its ‘dynamic zero-COVID strategy’. Shanghai has been in lockdown for over a month, causing serious disruption to its 25 million residents and the economy, with a potential lockdown in Beijing on the horizon. Silvia Lindtner and Melinda Liu discuss China’s current COVID situation and explore the many secondary and tertiary effects that the Omicron wave in China is having around the world during an interview conducted on May 23, 2022.

According to a Pew Research Center report released in April, Americans view China's partnership with Russia as a serious problem for the United States, amid concerns over China's growing superpower status and economic might. More than 60 percent of American adults believe the Russia-China relationship is a very serious problem, more people than say the same about other critical issues, including China's involvement in American politics, its human rights policies, and tensions between China and Taiwan. Pew Research Center senior researcher Laura Silver discussed the survey findings in an interview conducted on May 10, 2022.

President Biden will visit Seoul in May for his first meeting with newly-elected South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, as both countries face increasing mutual concerns, including North Korea's first intercontinental ballistic missile launch since 2017 in March, followed by the April test of a new tactical guided weapon to boost nuclear capability. How will these events influence Korea-China-U.S. Relations? What are the effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine? What should we expect from President Biden's visit to Seoul? Sue Mi Terry discusses North Korea’s recent weapons tests, China’s response, and the implications for U.S.-China relations during an interview conducted on April 29, 2022.

A war between China and the United States would be catastrophic, but, unfortunately, is no longer unthinkable. In "The Avoidable War," Kevin Rudd demystifies the actions of both sides, describing how the countries can coexist without betraying their core interests. According to Mr. Rudd, a former Australian prime minister who has studied, lived in, and worked with China for more than forty years, the relationship between the United States and China is especially volatile. It sits atop cultural misunderstanding, historical grievance, and ideological incompatibility. No other nations are so quick to offend and be offended; the capacity for either country to cross a critical line is growing rapidly. Mr. Rudd discusses how the United States and China can find a way to co-exist without compromising their core interests through “managed strategic competition” in an interview conducted on April 25, 2022.

The United States and China, as the world’s two largest economies and carbon emitters, have an opportunity to accelerate financing for low-carbon technologies, particularly in developing countries. One promising mechanism for action is climate finance; nevertheless, experts estimate an annual shortfall of $850 billion in climate-related financing in developing markets, which need it most.   In an interview conducted on April 6, 2022, Kelly Sims Gallagher discusses the importance of U.S.-China cooperation in accelerating global climate finance.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the Chinese government has tried to walk a fine line of neutrality. It has abstained on UN resolutions and not condemned the Russian invasion or the slaughter of civilians. On the other hand, it has restated its support of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the UN Charter. State owned media and social media have often repeated Russia’s propaganda to the great concern of the U.S. and European governments. Xiaoyu Pu and Maria Repnikova discuss China’s international and domestic media coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the system behind this coverage, and its implications for U.S.-China relations during an interview conducted on April 18, 2022.

On January 20, 2022, a federal court in Boston dismissed charges against Massachusetts Institute of Technology engineering professor Gang Chen, who had been accused of concealing his affiliations with Chinese government institutions. The dropping of all charges against Dr. Chen was a major setback for the China Initiative, a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) program meant to combat economic espionage and intellectual property theft conducted by the Chinese government. Some argue that the DOJ’s efforts to counter Chinese national security threats led to racial profiling and created a climate of fear among academics and researchers of Chinese descent in the United States. On February 23, 2022, the DOJ announced that it had terminated the China Initiative. In an interview conducted on April 13, 2022, Professor Gang Chen talks about his case and his reaction to the end of the China Initiative, what it means to him and the broader scientific community. Gang Chen is the Carl Richard Soderberg Professor of power engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He served as the head of the MIT department of mechanical engineering from 2013 to 2018. His research interests center on nanoscale thermal transport and energy conversion phenomena and their applications in energy storage and conversion, thermal management, and water treatment and desalination. He has received numerous awards, including the National Science Foundation Young Investigator Award, an American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ (ASME) Heat Transfer Memorial Award, an ASME Frank Kreith Award in Energy, and a Nukiyama Memorial Award by the Japan Heat Transfer Society, among others. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Physical Society, the ASME, and the Guggenheim Foundation. He is an academician of Academia Sinica, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the U.S. National Academy of Engineering.

On April 12, 1972, the Chinese national ping pong team arrived in Detroit, the first unofficial visitors from the People’s Republic of China to the United States since the establishment of the PRC in 1949. One of the many excited people waiting on the tarmac to welcome the team was Jan Berris – at that time a program associate with the National Committee, now its vice president. Fifty years later, on April 12, 2022, Jan Berris shared stories of the historic process – from the funny to the momentous – and reflected on the enduring legacy of Ping Pong Diplomacy on U.S.-China relations. Jan Berris has been with the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations since 1971 – beginning as program associate, moving on to program director, and vice president. She is responsible for overseeing all program activities of the Committee: this includes the preparation and execution of hundreds of Chinese delegations to the United States, American delegations to China, as well as NCUSCR’s Track II programs, and other flagship programs. Given her familiarity with the Chinese media at the time, the U.S. State Department asked her to coordinate Chinese press activities during Premier Deng Xiaoping’s February 1979 visit to the United States, and she has been the lead for the Committee’s hosting of major welcoming events for all of the most senior Chinese leaders. Prior to joining the Committee, Ms. Berris was a foreign service officer, stationed in Hong Kong and Washington, D.C. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan.

"Americans in China: Encounters with the People's Republic" tells the stories of a diverse assortment of men and women who have engaged with China as adversaries and emissaries, mediators and advocates, interpreters and reporters, soldiers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and scholars. For each of them, China was more than just another place: it was an idea, a cause, a revolution, a civilization. Their experiences provide unique insights and deeply human perspectives on issues that have shaped U.S. engagement with the PRC during the past seven decades. In an interview conducted on March 4, 2022, Terry Lautz discusses some of the figures in his book and what they suggest about American engagement in China in a conversation with Helena Kolenda of the Henry Luce Foundation.

The annual meetings of the National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), colloquially known as the “Two Sessions” or “Lianghui,” feature the gathering of political leaders in Beijing each spring to announce plans and goals for the coming year. In 2022, amidst heightened global tensions, the continuing pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the 20th Party Congress coming in the fall, China’s domestic political events may hold even greater significance for the world than usual. What does the 2022 Two Sessions meeting suggest about China’s priorities in 2022 and beyond? Will the tightening in sectors including education, real estate, and investment initiated in 2021 continue? In an interview conducted on March 11, 2022, Political economist and U.C. San Diego Professor Victor Shih shares insights and analyses of the Two Sessions and what this year’s meetings may indicate about China’s domestic and foreign policy going forward.

Since the February 24, 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, China’s position has come under scrutiny. Politically, for decades China has upheld the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty; Beijing has continued to talk about these ideals over the past few weeks while also blaming the west for creating the conditions – specifically, the eastern expansion of NATO after the fall of the Soviet Union – that led to Russia’s actions. Economically, China has sharply opposed sanctions, claiming that they are both illegal and counter-productive, while also announcing significant oil and wheat deals that might be interpreted as supporting Russia’s economy. Looming over all is the question of what parallels there might be between Russia and Ukraine and China and Taiwan. Yun Sun discusses the rhetoric, actions, and relationships between and among Russia, China, and the United States since Russia invaded Ukraine in an interview conducted on March 7, 2022.

A populous superpower, China could transform the international system. Xi Jinping’s calls for China to “lead in the reform of the global governance system” suggest that he has precisely that ambition. The international community needs to understand and respond to the great risks, as well as potential rewards, of a world rebuilt by China. In an interview conducted on February 28, 2022, Elizabeth Economy describes China’s strategy to recover the country’s past glory and reshape the geostrategic landscape. President Xi’s vision is one of Chinese centrality on the global stage, in which the mainland has realized its sovereignty claims over Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the South China Sea; deepened its global political, economic, and security reach through the Belt and Road Initiative; and used its leadership in the United Nations and other institutions to align international norms and values, particularly surrounding human rights, around its own. Note: Dr. Economy spoke in her personal capacity; all views expressed are hers and do not reflect policy of the United States Government or the Department of Commerce.

Regardless of where they are held, nationalism and identity affect how the Olympic Games are portrayed and perceived.  In an interview conducted on February 22, 2022, New York Times correspondent Amy Qin and University of Hong Kong history professor Guoqi Xu discuss issues of national and individual identity at Beijing Games.

As global attention focuses on Russia's military buildup along its border with Ukraine, increasingly stronger ties between China and Russia raise concerns with the United States and its allies. At the Putin-Xi summit on the eve of the Winter Olympics, China explicitly backed Russia's security concerns over further NATO expansion in Eastern Europe, bringing this relationship to the geopolitical forefront. Although China-Russia cooperation has its limits, this strategic alignment could challenge U.S. political, ideological, and security interests and the U.S.-led global order. Yun Sun discusses the current state of Sino-Russian relations and its potential impact on the U.S.-China relationship in an interview conducted on February 8, 2022.

Meg Rithmire (Harvard Business School) gives an updated summary of China's unique political and economic system, describing its changing relationship towards Chinese businesses, citizens, and even the United States.

In his recently updated book, The China Paradox: At the Front Line of Economic Transformation, Paul G. Clifford documents the twists and turns of China’s dramatic and surprising rise over the last four decades. New chapters explore tech giant Huawei and China’s frictions with the world fueled by perceptions that China’s technological progress threatens the global economic order. Is China under President Xi Jinping retreating from the economic reforms at the heart of China recent achievements? In an interview conducted on December 22, 2021, Paul G. Clifford discusses the risks to China’s development and stability posed by the slowing of reform amid increased autocracy.

Not since China's detonation of its first atomic weapon in 1964 has the United States been so concerned with the country's nuclear capabilities. Recent satellite images suggest China is constructing 100 new ICBM silos, and the Pentagon estimates that China could possess well over 1,000 nuclear warheads by the end of the decade. In addition, the successful test of a cutting-edge, nuclear-capable hypersonic missile last month has rattled the U.S. security community. Why is China rapidly bulking up its nuclear arsenal, and why now? What does this spell for an already fraught U.S.-China security relationship? And how should the United States respond in its efforts to maintain "strategic stability”? On December 13, 2021, the National Committee interviewed M. Taylor Fravel and Tong Zhao to discuss these questions and more on China's expanding nuclear capabilities.

A new Brookings Institution report argues that the era of deepening ties between the United States and China ushered in by the 1972 Nixon visit to China is over, and suggests that frictions may be mitigated by a bipartisan approach to China that appeals to allies in Europe and Asia and tempers the reality of competition with cooperation on global public goods. In an interview conducted on November 22, 2021, two of the report's co-authors Ryan Hass and Bruce Jones introduce the key findings of the report, “Rising to the Challenge: Navigating Competition, Avoiding Crisis, and Advancing US Interests in Relations with China,” and discuss how many Americans now view China as their country's most formidable challenger and potential adversary.

As President Biden’s first year in office coincides with the 50th anniversary of President Nixon’s announcement that he would visit the People’s Republic of China, it seemed like a good time for a group of experts to try to re-imagine U.S.- China relations. "From Trump to Biden and Beyond" is the result of their efforts. It provides insights into global issues that will define America and China now and in the future, including tech innovation, energy and climate cooperation, engagement with Latin America, cross-Strait relations and the Indo-Pacific, among others. It suggests ways for Washington to articulate a new set of values, objectives, and tactics to define the most important bilateral relationship in the world and address the challenges it presents. In an interview conducted on November 12, 2021, Earl Carr and Carolyn Kissane discussed ways in which the Biden administration might deal with the challenges presented by the Sino-American relationship.

The Sixth Plenum of the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee was held in Beijing November 8-11, laying the groundwork for a twice-a-decade party congress in 2022. The gathering of approximately 375 Central Committee members and alternates was expected to review the work of the CPC over the last 100 years and to set goals for the next 100 years. In recent decades, the party has devoted the final plenary session to discussions of party affairs, especially key appointments, ideology, and party-building. In an interview conducted on November 12, 2021, Jude Blanchette and Diana Fu discuss the implications of what was and was not announced at the Sixth Plenum.

In the past, supply chains were primarily understood through a lens of economic efficiency and competitiveness. Today, the conversation has shifted to a prism of various new concepts such as resiliency, decoupling, reshoring, self-reliance, and mostly notably, national security. In an interview conducted on August 12, 2021, moderated by Mark Dallas (Union College), Peter Cleveland (TSMC) and Brittany Masalosalo (3M) discuss global supply chains and how the United States and China can better work with one another and with business practitioners to ensure that markets are adequately secure and open.

On September 15, U.S. President Joe Biden, Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new trilateral security partnership described by PM Morrison as “a next-generation partnership built on a strong foundation of proven trust.” What does the partnership, known as AUKUS, suggest for the three countries involved, for France and the rest of the European Union, and for China and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region?  In an interview conducted on October 12, 2021, Theresa Fallon and Richard McGregor analyze the significance of AUKUS in conversation with Jason Kelly.

Li Shuo discusses the importance of biodiversity loss as an issue of mutual concern in the bilateral relationship and highlighted specific areas where cooperation is essential to the future of the planet.

In September 2021, China formally submitted its application to join the large regional free trade agreement known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The CPTPP, which currently has 11 member countries with 495 million people and a combined GDP of $13.5 trillion, originally started as the U.S.-backed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) before the United States withdrew from the deal in 2017 following bipartisan pushback. In order for China to join the CPTPP, it would need approval by all 11 member countries. What is the likelihood that China’s application will be successful? Is China able to deliver on the high-level trade standards required by the CPTPP? Will the United States remain on the sidelines as China continues to deepen its economic integration in the Asia Pacific region and beyond? In an interview conducted on October 6, 2021, Scott Kennedy discusses China’s request to join the CPTPP, the likelihood of approval, and the potential impact on the global trade landscape.

China’s massive real estate market has been shaken by recent news of property developer China Evergrande Group’s increasingly dire financial situation. What explains the company’s predicament, and how has the Chinese government responded? How did giant conglomerates such as Evergrande become so prominent in the Chinese economy? What is the significance of real estate for individual households and China’s economy as a whole, and what does the government handling of Evergrande reveal about the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and big business? In an interview conducted on October 5, 2021, Meg Rithmire analyzes the domestic and global economic and political implications of the troubles facing real estate giant China Evergrande Group in conversation with Keith Abell.

The results of China's 2020 census, released in May 2021, reveal that population growth over the past decade has been the lowest since the 1950s. China's government has now loosened some restrictions, allowing married couples to have as many as three children. This signals increasing concern by policy makers, and may suggest further measures in the near future as the wide-ranging repercussions of demographic changes reverberate across Chinese society. In an interview conducted on September 14, 2021, Dr. Ye Liu and Professor Carl Minzner discuss the social implications of China’s accelerating demographic crisis, with specific attention to the varied reactions of women in China to recent policy shifts and comparisons of China's demographic challenges with those in other parts of East Asia.

In July, China’s State Council banned after-school tutoring. Companies that operate ed tech platforms or provide online education were forbidden from raising capital through IPOs, and listed companies and foreign investors were barred from investing or acquiring stakes in education firms that teach school subjects.  The industry is enormous: some $10 billion of venture capital flowed into China’s edtech sector in 2020 alone. According to a listing prospectus from New Oriental Education, a major tutoring company, the total number of K-12 student enrolments in after-school tutoring increased from 202.6 million in 2015 to 325.3 million in 2019 and was expected to increase to 659.5 million by 2024.  In an interview conducted on September 1, 2021, Ms. Wenchi Yu discusses the recent crackdown on private tutoring in China.

Journalist and author Lenora Chu and senior associate consultant at The Bridgespan Group Willie Thompson discuss how their exchange experiences have shaped their views of, and enabled them to speak effectively about, China.

The U.S. military is pulling out of Afghanistan, a process that should be complete by August 31. Both China and the United States face looming strategic challenges as a result. America’s presence has preserved a fragile balance of power in Central South Asia, benefitting both the United States and China. It has prevented terror activities from spilling over Afghanistan’s borders, as well as allowing for trade and facilitating the expansion of China’s BRI initiative into neighboring Pakistan. The U.S. foothold in Afghanistan has cost thousands of American lives and over two trillion dollars, but has also mitigated the threat of widespread terror activity, the initial impulse for going in in 2001. What will withdrawal mean for the security, politics, and economics of South Central Asia and for the U.S.-China relationship more broadly? In an interview conducted on August 19, 2021, Mr. Derek Grossman and Ms. Niva Yau discuss the implications of the American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan for U.S.-China relations in conversation with Dr. Daniel Markey.

The adverse effects of climate change are already being seen in crippling high temperatures, prolonged droughts, and a seemingly constant stream of extreme weather events testing countries all over the world. With the United States and China jointly accounting for over 40 percent of global greenhouse emissions and geopolitical competition intensifying, Dr. Scott Moore explains how domestic national security interests intersect with the bilateral conversation on climate. As each nation seeks to mitigate the worst effects of climate change within their borders, where is bilateral climate cooperation taking place now and how might it develop in the future? In an interview conducted on August 5, 2021, Dr. Scott Moore discusses the implications for climate change on national security in both China and the United States.

On August 12, 2021, the National Committee on United States-China Relations published a report based on a survey of leading American academic centers, think tanks, and NGOs on China-related issues. The survey, conducted in late 2020, was commissioned by Carnegie Corporation of New York in order to assess the state of China-focused international relations and peace and security programs in the United States. The 82 responses present a snapshot of the field in an era of global disruption, instability, and growing Sino-American tensions. In this interview, National Committee Senior Program Officer Rosie Levine explores the key findings from the report and the broader implications for the U.S.-China relationship. Read the report: https://ncuscr.news/survey

In recent years Japan has found itself increasingly at a crossroads between its post-War ally, the United States, and rising neighbor, China. U.S. Editor and Chief Desk Editor of Nikkei Asia, Ken Moriyasu, examines the geopolitics, trade, and history that play a role in shaping Japan’s ties with both major powers.

In many critical technology industries, the United States and China are locked in an intense competition for economic and innovative primacy. At the same time, the supply chains, talent pools, and financial capital of individuals, corporations, and governments in both countries are deeply entangled in one larger tech ecosystem. Using the semiconductor industry as a case study, we asked NCUSCR Director Anja Manuel to shine a light on this complex web of collaboration and competition, and discuss what it could mean for humanity’s shared technological future. Anja Manuel is co-founder and partner in Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC, a strategic consulting firm that helps U.S. companies navigate international markets. She is a former diplomat, author, and advisor on emerging markets.

National Committee Professional Fellows Program alumni Jo Nelson and Li Sai discuss the impact of their exchange experiences on their professional and personal lives and on their broader views of people-to-people exchange. Learn more at www.ncuscr.org/pfp

Taiwan faces many internal issues, as well as pressures from China which exacerbate home-grown problems. Its responses to these internal and external challenges, and ultimately whether it can stand its ground against China’s ambitions, will be formulated within the island's lively democratic system. "In Difficult Choices: Taiwan’s Quest for Security and the Good Life," Richard Bush explores the issues and policy choices Taiwan confronts and offers suggestions for what Taiwan can do to help itself and what the United States should do to improve Taiwan’s chances of success.  In an interview conducted on June 8, 2021, Dr. Richard Bush discussed Taiwan’s predicament as it deals with internal issues and pressure from China, and recommended actions Taiwan and the United States could take to improve the likelihood that Taiwan will thrive.

The two sponsors of the Strategic Competition Act (S. 1169), Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Senator James Risch (R-ID), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, respectively, hailed committee passage of the legislation on April 21, stating that the bill “is an unprecedented, bipartisan effort to mobilize all United States strategic, economic, and diplomatic tools for an Indo-Pacific strategy that enables the U.S. government to compete effectively with the People’s Republic of China and the challenges it poses to our national and economic security for decades to come.” By contrast, Dr. Michael Swaine of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft sees the legislation as a dangerous “de facto declaration of a cold war with the People’s Republic of China.” In an interview conducted on May 27, 2021, Dr. Michael Swaine and Dr. Rachel Odell discussed the Strategic Competition Act and its implications for U.S.-China relations.

In an interview conducted on May 12, 2021, Dr. Evan Medeiros discusses how conflict and conflict prevention are becoming increasingly central to American China policy as competition prevails in the policy framework.  

In China, industry and political leaders are capitalizing on sci-fi’s unique ability to inspire the public and project a vision of the future that features China as a global innovation leader. Experts Aynne Kokas, Jing Tsu, and Yilin Wang explore how this genre can both reflect China’s present and shape its future.

The United States and China have pledged to work together to fight climate change. But is cooperation enough to stop global temperatures from rising past 1.5 degrees Celsius? Climate policy expert Deborah Seligsohn (Villanova University) explains how competition between the two countries can be leveraged as a positive force to deliver the best environmental outcomes. For more videos and podcasts, visit us at ncuscr.org/media.

Policies adopted by the People's Republic of China in Xinjiang since 2017 have garnered worldwide attention, as new technology has dramatically intensified methods of control and implicated China’s international trade, which includes a variety of products from Xinjiang and employs the labor of Xinjiang people. The Chinese Communist Party's new ethnic policies thus have growing international repercussions. Dr. James Millward discusses recent developments in Xinjiang, responses of governments around the world, and the implications for individual consumers in an interview conducted on March 31, 2021.

Stop AAPI Hate co-founder Russell Jeung addresses the alarming reports of violence and crimes committed against Asian Americans over the past year. He examines the racist beliefs that often motivate perpetrators, discusses the influence of social media, and offers a hopeful look at how Asian American communities and their allies are standing up to injustice nationwide. Russell Jeung is a professor of Asian American studies at San Francisco State University. In 2020, Dr. Jeung launched Stop AAPI Hate, a project for tracking Covid-19-related discrimination in order to develop community resources and policy interventions to fight racism. Learn more about anti-Asian racism in the United States, and what you can do to help: ncuscr.org/anti-racism.

Dr. Chad Bown discusses the trade deal and prospects for American trade policies toward China in the new administration in an interview conducted on March 10, 2021. In a February 8 report for the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Dr. Chad Bown argues that the U.S.-China Phase One Trade Deal should be examined by the Biden administration. The centerpiece of the trade deal – China’s pledge to buy $200 billion more of U.S. goods and services split over 2020 and 2021 – has thus far fallen far short of its target. Other elements of the deal, such as China’s commitment to reduce nontariff barriers and open up to foreign investment, merit consideration as the new administration develops its international economic policies. A fresh U.S. policy approach toward China is needed, and should be undertaken jointly with like-minded countries.

The February events in Myanmar have startled the world. While some countries quickly called the military takeover a coup, and U.S. President Joe Biden imposed sanctions to prevent the generals behind the coup from gaining access to funds in the United States, China has maintained a neutral position. Nonetheless, Myanmar’s unexpected political developments will inevitably introduce challenges and uncertainties into China-Myanmar relations. Geographical proximity, as well as complicated historical, ethnic, political, and economic ties, mean that whoever is in power in Naypyidaw will want to maintain a positive relationship with Beijing. Yun Sun discusses the February 1 coup, subsequent events, Chinese responses, and the potential impact on Sino-U.S. relations in an interview conducted on March 5, 2021.

Arctic security and international relations expert Marc Lanteigne explores China's scientific, economic, and political interests in a rapidly changing region. Dr. Marc Lanteigne is an associate professor of political science at UiT - the Arctic University of Norway, and is the author and editor of several books, including Routledge Handbook of Arctic Security (Routledge 2020).

Responding to domestic and international demand for seafood, China’s state-owned and private fishing enterprises have amassed the largest fleet of industrial long-distance ships in the world. Principal Investigator of Fisheries for Ecotrust Canada, Dr. Dyhia Belhabib, breaks down how and where the fleet operates, who it impacts, and what steps must be taken to ensure sustainable and equitable fishing worldwide.     More videos and podcasts from U.S.-China HORIZONS: https://www.ncuscr.org/HORIZONS.

A successful pandemic response helped reshape Taiwan’s image in 2020. Could a new U.S. administration further change the island’s prospects in 2021?     Margaret Lewis explores the new year's possibilities for U.S.-Taiwan relations, as well as the key issues facing the Taiwan government’s domestic and global standing.

Financial technology – aka fintech – is gaining in popularity globally as a way to improve the efficiency and accessibility of financial services. Fintech is taking off in China, catering to markets that state-owned banks and the undersized financial sector do not serve amid a backdrop of growing consumption and a large, tech-savvy millennial generation. In this interview, NCUSCR Vice President Margot Landman interviews Sara Hsu, co-author of China’s Fintech Explosion , in which Ms. Hsu and Jianjun Li explore the transformative potential of China’s fintech industry, describing the risks and rewards for participants as well as the impact on consumers. They cover many subsectors of the industry: digital payment systems, peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding, credit card issuance, internet banks, blockchain finance and virtual currencies, and online insurance. Offering analysis of market potential, risks, and competition, the authors describe major companies including Alipay and Tencent, and other leading fintech firms.

Global fish consumption has risen rapidly since 1960, resulting in a 25 percent increase in overexploited fish stocks in the past 30 years alone. The United States and China are key drivers of the $150 billion wild seafood industry, making them leading stakeholders in ensuring its sustainable management. Tabitha Mallory, founder and CEO of the China Ocean Institute, discusses how China and the United States contribute to both the problems and solutions for conserving this valuable and vulnerable common resource.

China’s booming film market has become an essential consideration for the production of Hollywood movies. In an effort to take advantage of this audience, American entertainment conglomerates are increasingly partnering with Chinese studios, and producing products for the Chinese market. How will America’s entertainment powerhouses and China’s burgeoning film industry collaborate to build their global brand identities? Dr. Aynne Kokas is an associate professor of media studies at the University of Virginia. She is the author of Hollywood Made in China (University of California Press, 2017). For more videos and podcasts from the U.S.-China HORIZONS series, visit us at ncuscr.org/HORIZONS.

Tesla has proven that U.S. car companies can succeed in China—when they sell electric. But what will it take for the traditional auto industry to meet the demand for new energy vehicles in China and compete with local startups? Tu Le of Sino Auto Insights analyzes U.S.-China collaboration and interaction as a driving force behind the ascending global electric vehicle market. Tu Le is the founder and managing director of Sino Auto Insights. He is recognized as an automotive & mobility expert in Asia, having spent time living and working in Detroit, Silicon Valley, and China. For more videos and podcasts from the U.S.-China HORIZONS series, visit us at ncuscr.org/HORIZONS.

Jennifer Turner explains the recent evolution of China's dynamic new energy vehicle industry, including how it will influence electric vehicles in the United States and around the world. Jennifer Turner is the director of the Wilson Center’s China Environment Forum and manager of its Global Choke Point Initiative. She is a widely-quoted expert on U.S.-China environmental cooperation as well as climate-related challenges and governance issues facing the world’s most populous country. For more videos and podcasts from the U.S.-China HORIZONS series, visit us at ncuscr.org/HORIZONS.

Against the backdrop of a global pandemic, slowing economic growth, and tensions in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and beyond, Beijing will host its Fifth Plenum of the 19th Chinese Community Party from October 26 to October 29, 2020. Among other items on the Plenum agenda, the 14th Five-Year-Plan will be approved by the more than 300 full and alternate members of the Party Central Committee and a new economic strategy called the “2035 vision” will be unveiled. Dr. Ling Chen, assistant professor of political science at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, examines the upcoming Plenum in the context of Fifth Plenums past, considers the economic and non-economic items likely to be on the agenda, and reflects on the significance of the Plenum for China, the United States, and other parts of the world.  

On July 23, 2020, the United States government ordered the Chinese consulate in Houston to close. Less than a week later, the American consulate in Chengdu was vacated as reciprocation from Beijing. Harvard University Department of Government Ph.D. candidate and former U.S. diplomat Naima Green-Riley analyzes the motivations behind each government's drastic step and evaluates the possible implications for the regions serviced by each consulate, as well as the U.S.-China relationship as a whole.

The Justice Department's China Initiative against economic espionage and intellectual property theft has made Chinese students in the United States a focus of increasing scrutiny, while Congress has initiated legislation aiming to restrict this broad group's ability to work and study in the United States.     In light of the Justice Department's more than 3,000 active investigations of China-affiliated researchers and students in the United States, Queens College President Frank Wu discusses the initiative, the resulting increase in scrutiny of Chinese nationals and Chinese-American students, and the potential threat to American competitiveness and economic vitality that these developments present.      Frank H. Wu is the president of Queens College, former president of the Committee of 100, and a former litigator and professor of law.

President Tsai Ing-wen was re-elected in January, 2020, on a platform similar to that of her first term, yet new cross-Strait developments and changing challenges at home suggest the next four years may not be a continuation of the status quo. Seton Hall University law professor and Taiwan expert Margaret Lewis explores the possibilities for mainland-Taiwan relations as well as the local issues that will define both Tsai's second term and the near future of Taiwan.

This speech is an excerpt from the National Committee 2020 Members Program. To hear NCUSCR Chair Ambassador Carla Hills introduction, as well as the extensive q&a with NCUSCR President Stephen Orlins, please listen to the episode on our Events channel, "Amb. Robert Zoellick | 2020 Annual Members Program FULL EVENT."  The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations was pleased to host a virtual conversation on May 19, 2020, with Ambassador Robert Zoellick, former U.S. Trade Representative and president of the World Bank, among other positions in and outside of government. Fifteen years have passed since his “responsible stakeholder” speech at the National Committee’s 2005 Gala dinner. Ambassador Zoellick offered reflections on his 2005 speech and the policy implications of his approach for the United States when considering the current Sino-U.S. relationship.

Principal of Albright Stonebridge Group Amy Celico explains the fundamental challenges currently facing the bilateral commercial relationship between the United States and China. She also discusses why the “phase one” trade deal is a positive development and how COVID-19 is highlighting the role of foreign investors in China’s economic growth trajectory. Amy Celico is a principal at the Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG) and leads the firm’s D.C.-based China practice, assisting corporate and non-profit clients develop and expand their business in China. This episode is part of the National Committee's Coronavirus Impact Series: http://www.ncuscr.org/coronavirus

In an interview with NCUSCR President Steve Orlins, M. Taylor Fravel discusses his motivations for and key discoveries from writing, "Active Defense: China's Military Strategy Since 1949." He discusses China's activity in the East and South China Sea, as well as the CCP's definition of geopolitical "core interests." Fravel also considers how a historical perspective of China's military strategy has informed his views on whether China is an active military and national security threat to United States. On October 10, 2019, Dr. Taylor Fravel presented his findings and discussed the implications for China’s current military behavior.

This episode is part of the National Committee's Coronavirus Impact Series: https://www.ncuscr.org/coronavirus    Sociologist Yingyi Ma assesses the difficult decision many Chinese international students at American universities currently face: whether to remain on closed campuses or travel back home. She also discusses how students have had to experience anti-Chinese stigma and navigate the mixed messages from their home country, parents, school administrators, and their country of residence. Dr. Ma is an associate professor of sociology, a senior research associate at the Center for Policy Research, and director of Asian/Asian American studies at Syracuse University. A specialist in education and migration, Dr. Ma's latest book is, "Ambitious and Anxious: How Chinese Undergraduates Succeed and Struggle in American Higher Education" (Columbia University Press 2019).

This episode is part of the National Committee's Coronavirus Impact Series: http://www.ncuscr.org/coronavirus As the United States’ confirmed coronavirus cases increase rapidly and China’s continue to decrease, Dr. Elanah Uretsky delivers an overarching analysis of how both countries’ public health responses already have⁠—and will continue⁠—to mitigate the pandemic’s spread. Please note that the following interview reflects information available at the time it was recorded (3/11/20), and that public health circumstances in China and the United States continue to change rapidly. Dr. Elanah Uretsky is a medical anthropologist who is also broadly trained in global health. She is an assistant professor in international and global studies and anthropology at Brandeis University. A National Committee on U.S.-China Relations Public Intellectuals Program fellow, Dr. Uretsky is also a National Committee member.

This episode is part of the National Committee's Coronavirus Impact Series: www.ncuscr.org/coronavirus         The coronavirus outbreak has prompted a wave of public action in China, including fundraising, volunteering, citizen journalism, advocacy, and more. Professor Bin Xu examines varying forms of civic engagement in China, its implications for Chinese society and government, and its pitfalls, most notably the Red Cross Society of China scandal. He explores the novel use of social media and online platforms by the public and compares civic engagement today to the response to the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan. Bin Xu is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Emory University. His research interests lie at the intersection of politics and culture. He is the author of, "The Politics of Compassion: The Sichuan Earthquake and Civic Engagement in China" (Stanford University Press, 2017). Dr. Xu is currently writing a book on the collective memory of China’s “educated youth” (zhiqing) generation—the 17 million Chinese youth sent down to the countryside in the 1960s and 1970s. His research has appeared in leading sociology and China studies journals, including Theory & Society, Sociological Theory, Social Problems, Social Psychology Quarterly, China Quarterly, and The China Journal. Dr. Xu is a National Committee on U.S.-China Relations Public Intellectuals Program fellow.

This episode is part of the National Committee's Coronavirus Impact Series. Ford Foundation’s China Director, Elizabeth Knup, considers COVID-19’s potential to change the NGO landscape in China moving forward. She also discusses how her organization has adjusted to work during the epidemic and shares some of the ways Ford-funded NGOs are responding to the crisis. Elizabeth Knup is the regional director in China for the Ford Foundation, overseeing all grant making in the country from Ford's Beijing office. Ms. Knup serves on the board of the National Committee on US-China Relations.

This episode is part of the National Committee's Coronavirus Impact Series. In the wake of the Dow Jones’ dramatic correction at the end of February and continued market instability, Keith Abell examines how the coronavirus outbreak is affecting general market outlook and sentiment among investors in the United States and China. Mr. Abell is the founder of NextWave Investment Strategies and the co-founder of Sungate Properties. He serves as treasurer on the National Committee’s board of directors.

The following episode is part of the National Committee's Coronavirus Impacts Series. National Committee Chair Carla Hills delivers a message on the economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak, specifically its effect on global trade and the phase one U.S.-China trade deal. Ambassador Carla Hills is the Chair and CEO of Hills & Company, International Consultants. She served as United States Trade Representative from 1989 to 1993.

In an interview with NCUSCR President Stephen Orlins, Dr. David Zweig shares his research on China's "brain drain," Beijing's 1000 Talents Plan, and Washington's response to that program. On January 27, 2020, the National Committee hosted a public program with Dr. David Zweig to discuss China’s "reverse migration" efforts, presenting the Thousand Talents Plan as a case study.  David Zweig is professor emeritus at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

In this podcast, Ambassador Robert Blackwill sits down with NCUSCR President Steve Orlins to discuss his recent report, "Implementing Grand Strategy Toward China: Twenty-Two U.S. Policy Prescriptions," published by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in January, 2020. Ambassador Blackwill shares how his report has been received by both critics and proponents of engagement with China, and expands on his analysis of China's increasingly assertive international presence. On February 13, 2020, Ambassador Blackwill presented his report during a program at the National Committee. The full video can be found at www.ncuscr.video/ambblackwill. Ambassador Blackwill is the Henry A. Kissinger senior fellow for U.S. foreign policy at CFR and the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation Distinguished Scholar at the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Ambassador Blackwill was deputy assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor for strategic planning under President George W. Bush; he also served as presidential envoy to Iraq. Dr. Blackwill went to the National Security Council (NSC) after serving as the U.S. ambassador to India from 2001 to 2003

Mark Frazier, author of The Power of Place: Contentious Politics in Twentieth-Century Shanghai and Bombay, talks to NCUSCR Vice President Jan Berris about his new book and the two cities that form its comparative poles. Mr. Frazier discusses the history of contentious politics in Shanghai and Mumbai, both of which were national economic, cultural, and political hubs of their respective countries throughout the twentieth century. He also reflects on his experiences conducting research, working with the municipal governments, and engaging with residents in both locations.   On October 3, 2019, Mark Frazier presented his book at a National Committee event in New York City. Join us at an upcoming event, or watch videos of past events: ncuscr.news/events