CCG’s track II diplomacy provides clues and solutions to Sino-US relations prior to Trump’s maiden visit
The investigation into the trade between China and the US by President Trump since he arrived in office has caused some issues with regards to China-US relations. The incoming meet between the two leaders of the two countries, their roles in the international system, as well as their cooperation in the global economy have attracted world’s attention. In the first round talk between China and America, Liu Yandong, Vice Premier of the State Council, emphasized that in the current situation, facilitating the cultural exchange between China and America is essential to the stable and sound development of China-US relations.
In order to facilitate the cultural exchange and the dual-track diplomacy between China and America, as well as to prepare for the incoming meeting between President Trump and President Xi, the CCG expert team organized a series of high-level activities and discussions with the political and business communities and think tanks in America. The issues discussed included the bilateral investment of China and America US and the two countries’ strategic partnership.
Over the course of the six days, CCG discussed with numerous top think tanks in America around issues such as the economic and trade relations between China and America and the current situation and future of think tanks. The think tanks invited include Council on Foreign Relations (Vice President of Kissinger Institute took part in the discussion), Center for American Progress (Head of Economic Policy study, Andy Green, and Head of East and Southeast Asia study, Brian Harding, participated in the discussion), Asia Society (an organization concentrating on the Asia-American relations and the President of Asia Society, Josette Sheeran, presided the meeting), Heritage Foundation (the most important think tank of Trump’s government and its Founder and President Edwin J. Feulner joined in the discussion), Migration Policy Institute (an institution devoted to the study of migration and the globalization of the talents and its President, Andrew Seeley, participated in the discussion), Brookings Institution (the most famous think tank in America and David Dollar, Senior Researcher at Brookings Institution partook in the discussion), Center for Strategy and International Studies (the biggest research institution of international affairs in America and Scott Kennedy, the deputy director of the Freeman Chair in China Studies and director of the Project on Chinese Business and Political Economy, joined in the discussion), Wilson Center Kissinger Institute on China and the United States and Peterson Institute for International Economics.
Additionally, the expert team of CCG visited the General-Consulate of China in New York and exchanged opinions with the Counselor, Zhou Shanqing, on the development of Chinese and foreign think tanks. Further, the team held a talk with Rick Larsen, the co-chair of the bipartisan US-China Working Group of House of Representative and the representative of House Representatives, Terra Sabag. Subsequently, the team visited the office of John Cornyn, the Republican senator and had a conversation with his secretary Nathan Wolf. The two sides expressed their views on issues, such as the investigation of investment by Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), the Belt and Road Initiative, and the improvement of American infrastructure. Apart from these, CCG also organized a lunch meeting in Manhattan, New York. Attendees included leaders from General-Consulate of China, leaders of Chinese companies, as well as scholar experts covering topics that include China and America’s investment, the development of Chinese companies in America, and the economic and trade relations between China and America.
The most important part of the visit was a CCG-organized roundtable symposium, discussing ‘bilateral investment between China and America: opportunities and challenges’. It took place on Capitol Hill of Washington D.C. Guests included John Dickson, President of World Trade and Development Group; Zhao Zhenge, Representative at China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in America; David Wyche, senior official of Asia Energy, Department of Energy of America; Alexander Hammer, senior economist and trade commissioner of International Trade Commission of America; Yu Weiping, Vice President of CRRC Corporation Limited; Liu Haiqiang, senior Vice President of China Unicom in America; William Plummer, Vice President of Huawei in America and etc. Chinese entrepreneurs such as Wang Tianyi, President of CIIC, also attended the seminar and shared his experiences and problems of doing business in America. CCG has been the only Chinese think tank that organized forums in Washington, D.C. CCG has been actively taking part in public diplomacy, and as such has attracted much attention from American society and global media.
During the six days, CCG achieved outstanding results. Compared to other think tanks in China, it has organized the most oversea activities. It is the first think tank in China to organize forums in the capital of the US and to have actively exchanged opinions with the representatives from the political, business, and academic communities in America. In addition, CCG introduced its publications to the US Congress, such as ‘Report on Chinese Enterprises Globalization’, ‘Solutions and Approaches to Win-Win Cooperation on B&R Initiative’, ‘Trump’s Coming Era: Challenges, Opportunities and Policy Responses’, ‘International Migration of China’, etc. CCG has created a paradigm for the interaction among think tanks, enterprises and policy-makers. The efforts made by CCG not only contribute to the cultural exchange between China and America, but also facilitates the incoming meeting between the two presidents and Trump’s first visit to China.
CCG’s visit to America had greatly developed the dual-track communication between China and America. With the acceleration of globalization, the ‘dual-track diplomacy’ has become increasingly critical to the international relations. Dedicated to the study of Chinese public policy and globalization, CCG has been devoted to the globalization of Chinese enterprises and also Chinese think tanks. By organizing high-level oversea forums and seminars and developing the ‘dual-track diplomacy’, CCG has strengthened its cooperation with other social entities in multiple aspects, serving its role as the bellwether of Chinese think tanks in exerting global influence.
Event Details:
- CCG and the first think tank on American foreign affairs shared insights into China-US Relations
On the morning of September 29, Dr. Wang Yaohui, President of CCG, presented a speech on ‘China and Globalization: Chances and Challenge for China-US cooperation’ and expressed views on the economic and investment relations between China and America, global governance and the cooperation of China and American in infrastructure construction.
The activity was presided by Elizabeth Economy, the C.V. Starr senior fellow and director for Asia studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. More than 50 people participated in the event, including Robert Hormats, Vice Chairman of Kissinger Associates and other political and academic figures from New York University, Korean Society, Pace University, Morgan Stanley, the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States, and Rhodium Group. Council on Foreign Relations is the most influential think tank on America’s policy on China.
- CCG organized a roundtable meeting with the business community of New York and Committee of 100
On September 29, CCG organized a lunch meeting on ‘China-US Relations: the future of win-win cooperation’ in Manhattan, New York. The leaders of Consulate-General of China, the senior directors of Chinese companies in America and relevant scholars were invited to discuss China and America’s investments, their trade and economy and the development of Chinese companies.
The lunch meeting was attended by the Executive Director of The US-China Association for public affairs, Teng Shaojun and the Co-chair of committee of 100, the Greater China, Li Xuehai. Zhou Shanqing, Counselor of Consulate-General of China in New York, Steve Orlins, President of National Committee on US-China Relations, Xiao Yuqiang, Vice Chairman of China General Chamber of Commerce – USA and Chairman of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in North America as well as other senior directors from China Construction America, China Grand Enterprises, National Grid, Vantone Holdings Co., Ltd and CITIC Group
- CCG held discussions with Asia Society around the cooperation between Chinese and American think tanks
On the afternoon of September 29, the expert team of CCG visited the headquarters of Asia Society in New York. The meeting was with regards to the development and the cooperation of Chinese and American think tanks and regional governance. Asia Society so far has been the most important cultural and educational institution in America and Asia-Pacific area. It is also one of the most important and vocal institutions studying Asian policies. The meeting was led by Josette Sheeran, President and CEO of Asia Society. Ms. Sheeran served as Deputy Secretary of George Bush’s government and she was responsible for economy, commerce and agriculture. At the moment, Asia Society is dedicated to establishing mutual understanding between American government and Asian countries.
- The expert team of CCG visited the General – Consulate of China in New York
On September 29, the expert team of CCG visited the General-Consulate of China in New York and had a conversation with the Counselor Zhou Shanqing and the Consular Zhou Yi on the economy and trade of China and America and the development of China’s nongovernmental think tanks.
The Economic and Commercial Section of the Consulate General of China in New York has been dedicated to strengthening the economic and trade bond between China and America. It has made great contributions to the two countries’ cooperation in trade, investment and finance. The Counselor Zhou Shanqing used to work in Nigeria and Uganda and he has a rich knowledge of the development of Chinese companies in foreign countries under the Belt and Road Initiative. He later worked in Washington and has a deep insight into American government and think tanks. He offered his views on many controversial issues, such as the 301 investigations, the renegotiation of North America Free Trade Agreement, the investigation of CFIUS, etc.
- CCG visited the think tank of Trump government AEI
On October 2, the expert team of CCG visited AEI, one of the most important think tanks of Trump’s government. Two weeks ago, the residence scholar of AEI Kevin Hassett was appointed by Trump as President of Council of Economic Advisers. This May, the expert team of AEI was invited by CCG to visit China.
Hassett is the expert on American taxation. As by now the tax reform has been the top agenda of Trump’s government, it can be expected that Hassett will exert a great influence on America’s tax reform. The communication of CCG and AEI will certainly contribute to the bilateral relations between China and America, global governance and the development of world economy.
- CCG organized an ‘Economic and Trade Investment Seminar’ at the Capitol Hill of Washington D.C.
On the afternoon of October 2, CCG organized a roundtable forum on ‘the bilateral investment of China and America: Opportunities and Challenges’ at the Capitol Hill of Washington D.C. It was the second time since 2011 that CCG organized a symposium on China and America’s economic and trade investment and CCG has been the only Chinese think tank that organized symposiums on this issue in the capital of America. CCG has been actively taking part in public diplomacy. It has attracted much attention from American society.
Over 60 entrepreneurs, scholars and politicians took part in the symposium, including John Dickson, President of World Trade and Development Group; Zhao Zhenge, Representative at China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in America; David Wyche, senior official of Asia Energy, Department of Energy of America; Alexander Hammer, senior economist and trade commissioner of International Trade Commission of America; Dr. Wang Yaohui, President of CCG; Yu Weiping, Vice President of CRRC Corporation Limited; Liu Haiqiang, senior Vice President of China Unicom in America; William Plummer, Vice President of Huawei in America; Wang Tianyi, President of CIIC; Pan Jiang, First Secretary at Embassy of China in the United States; Li Yeqing, Chairman of China Society.
- CCG invited the representatives of think tanks in America to its breakfast meeting, aiming for improving the relations between China and America
On the morning of October 3, CCG hosted a breakfast meeting with think tanks from Washington D.C. The expert team of CCG exchanged opinions on hot issues such as the economy and trade between China and America with nearly 20 representatives of the mainstream think tanks in America and previous policy-makers of the American government.
The breakfast meeting was presided by Wendy Culter, the Vice President of Asia Society Policy Institute and the former Acting Deputy US Trade Representative, responsible for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.
The guests of the meeting included: David Dollar, the senior researcher of Brookings Institute and the former official of Treasury Department; Scott Kennedy, Deputy Director of the Freeman Chair in China Studies and director of the Project on Chinese Business and Political Economy at CSIS; Matthew Goodman, Senior Adviser for Asian economics and William E. Simon Chair in Political Economy at CSIS; Daly Robert, Director of the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States; Jeffrey Schott, the senior fellow working on international trade policy and economic sanctions of PIIE and the former official of Treasury Department; Bruce H. Andrews, the former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce; Jocelyn Chan, Senior Director of American Chamber of Commerce; James Keith, the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for China and Director for China on the National Security Council and the managing director of McLarty Associates; Michael Schiffer, the Senior Advisor/Counselor in the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Katherine Tai, the Trade Counsel in the House Committee on Ways and Means; Jacob Bell, the Program Officer in the Asia Society Policy Institute’s; Eric Shimp, the assistant of the vice director of the department of Global government relations of Letter Ann financial group; Orit Frenkel, the Senior Manager for GE Global Government Affairs and Policy; David Kim, the Vice Director of the Government Affairs of Hyundai Auto.
- CCG visited the senior house representative of American Congress and facilitated the communication between think tanks and American representatives
On October 3, the expert team of CCG visited Rick Larsen, house representative of Democratic Party and co-chair of the bipartisan US-China Working Group of House of Representative as well as the representative of house representatives Terra Sabag.
The visit was to strengthen the bond with American House of Representative and deepen the mutual understanding between China and America. Rick Larsen now is the co-chair of the bipartisan US-China Working Group of House of Representatives. Apart from this, he is also the member of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. As a think tank from China, CCG showed the current research results to the House of Representatives and by engaging in dual-track diplomacy. As a result, it helped facilitate the mutual trust between China and America.
- CCG visited the office of the senior senator of Congress to improve the economic and investment environment between China and America and facilitate Chinese companies’ investment in America
On October 3, the expert team of CCG visited the office of John Cornyn, Senator of Republican Party, and Nathan Wolf, secretary of the senator. The two parties had a conversation around the investment and investigation of Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, Belt and Road Initiatives, the improvement of American Infrastructure and etc.
John Cornyn is the major contributor to the bill on investigation and reform of CFIUS. He advised to investigate into the foreign investment in the US. He has become the most critical figure in the foreign investment in America. During the conversation with his secretary, CCG expressed worries of Chinese entrepreneurs on the process and transparency of the investigation, as well as CFIUS’s harshness on Chinese companies.
- CCG will coordinate with Migration Policy Institute on the study of international migration and talents
On October 4, the expert team of CCG had a discussion with Migration Policy Institute -the leading think tank in migration and the talents study in the US- at its headquarters in Washington D.C. Our team had a roundtable meeting with Migration policy Institute surrounding topics like the trend of global migration, the migration policy of Trump’s government, the international flow of talents and the future cooperation on migration study.
The migration policy of the US, especially the change of migration policy since Trump came to office has caused a great stir around the world. Currently from Europe to America, migration has become a new global hot spot. With the flow of cargoes, the flow of capital, migrants and talents has also greatly contributed to globalization. The meeting this time would be a good chance for CCG to deepen their understanding of American politics and migration policy from the perspective of migration and help China attract more international talents.
- CCG visited Center for American Progress, the stronghold of the think tanks of Democratic Party
On October 4, the expert team of CCG visited the headquarters of Center for American Progress in Washington. Center for American Progress is the stronghold of the thinks tanks of Democratic Party. During the visit, our team exchanged opinions with Head of the economic policy research Andy Green and Head of Asia and Southeast Asia study Brian Harding on issues such as the relations between China and America, the cooperation on Infrastructure, the cooperation and development of think tanks.
Center for American Progress is the biggest think tank of Democratic Party and the policy advisor of Democratic National Committee. Its previous President John Podesta worked as White House Chief of Staff of Clinton’s Government and he used to help Clinton and Obama set up their leading groups. Podesta was also the General Counsel of Hilary Clinton’s campaign team for presidency.
- CCG visited Heritage Foundation, the think tank of President Trump
Lastly, the expert group of CCG visited the headquarters of Heritage Foundation – one of the most famous think tanks in the US – and President and Founder of the foundation, Dr. Edwin J. Feulner. Their conversation encompassed the relations between China and America, China and America’s cooperation on Infrastructure, China’s investment in the US, as well as the cultural exchange between China and America.
Heritage Foundation has been one of the most successful conservative think tanks. With its headquarters located in Washington D.C, it was founded by Dr. Feulner in 1973. It is one of the biggest and most influential think tanks in the United States and around the globe. Currently it has over several hundred thousand members in the US and a deep impact on the choice of voters in many areas of America. That Trump could win presidency owes much to the foundation. Since it was the most influential think thank during Trump’s election, it has a deep impact on the policies of American government in the areas including investment in the US, foreign trade, migration, national defense and etc. So far Dr. Feulner has also been the most expert among the founders of think tanks in the US.
Events:
LocationUnited States
