China – US Relations After the Meeting Between President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping September 2015 in Washington
Abstract:
Since the beginning of this century, China has grown fast and become a rising power in the world, economically as well as militarily. Historical experience shows that war may happen between a large existing power and a rising power. After China and the US established diplomatic relations in 1979, there have been distrust, disputes and even serious incidents between them. People have plenty of reasons to have doubts about the future.
Still, the two countries have grown closer and closer since the start of this century, though they argue and struggle from time to time. The two presidents meet each other more often. More than 50 dialogue platforms have been established between the two governments. Economically, the two countries are interdependent. Culturally, Chinese students make up the largest foreign student community in the US. Even leaders of the two militaries meet annually to improve understanding in order to avoid conflicts. But such progress doesn’t reduce the contradictions between China and the US. The two countries have had heated debates on a number of political, economic and security issues. There is a shortage of mutual trust.
In order to avoid war and conflict, President Xi Jinping has suggested the establishment of a new model of relationship between the two powers. Although the American side wonders whether this suggestion is realistic, the two sides have so far managed their differences carefully, getting along peacefully while still facing their differences directly. Stable China-US relations – at least in the near future – can be expected.
About the speaker:
Mr. XIONG Zhiyong is professor at China’s Foreign Affairs University located in Beijing, attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Previously, professor Xiong was Dean of Studies and Dean of Research at China’s Foreign Affairs University.
Professor Xiong Zhiyong is an outstanding scholar on China-US relations and China’s foreign policy, subjects which he has researched and lectured on for more than 35 years. Professor Xiong’s students can be found in most Chinese embassies throughout the world. In 2009, he was awarded Tutor for Best Dissertation and in 2010 he won the Famous Teacher Award.
Professor Xiong frequently gives lectures at training programs for Chinese diplomats and government officials and for foreign diplomats in Beijing. He was invited to teach and lecture at universities and think tanks in the United States, France, Ireland, Colombia, Australia, Tajikistan and other countries. Meanwhile, he keeps a close watch on the development of China-US relations and has continuous contact to major American think tanks. Professor Xiong often writes analytical articles for newspaper and journals.
Professor Xiong has published a number of research papers such as Contemporary China’s Diplomacy (Chinese Youth Publishing House, 1997), Modern History of China’s Diplomacy (World Knowledge Publishing House, 2005 and Peking University Publishing House, 2013), American Politics and Foreign Policy Making (Peking University Publishing House, 2007), and Lectures on China-US Relations (World Knowledge Publishing House, 2015). He has also published works such as China and the United States: Retrospection before the New Century (Henan Publishing House, 1995), 60 Years PRC-United States Relations (People’s Publishing House, 2009), The United States: from a rising power to a superpower (Current Affairs Publishing House, 2012).
Professor Xiong is Master of International Public Policy, School of Advanced International Studies, the Johns Hopkins University from 1984 and had in 1988 a Diploma in International Relations and Economic Cooperation from the German Foundation For International Development in Western Germany. From 1996 to 1997 professor Xiong was a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, USA. From 2001 to 2003, professor Xiong was Head of the Political Section at China’s Embassy in Tanzania.
This lecture is free of charge. Please sign up before the lecture using the link below. (Last day for registration is October 5, 2015):