CCG’s ‘track-II’ diplomacy in America (I): Exchanging ideas on Sino- US relations with world-class think tanks

To facilitate the cultural exchange between China and America and develop ‘track -two’ diplomacy, the China’s leading independent think tank, Center for China and Globalization(CCG) team launched a journey to America during  Sep 29 to Oct 4.

On the morning of Sep 29, Dr. Wang Huiyao, the President of CCG delivered a speech on ‘China and Globalization: Opportunities and Challenges for China-U.S. cooperation’ at Council on Foreign Relations.  As the representative of CCG, he expressed the group’s opinions on the economic and trade relation between China and America, global governance and the two countries’ cooperation on infrastructure construction.

The event was presided by Elizabeth Economy, the C.V. Starr senior fellow and director for Asia studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Robert Hormats, the Vice Chairman of Kissinger Associates and the former Vice Secretary of State attended the event as well as nearly 50 leaders, entrepreneurs and experts from New York University, Korean Society, Pace University, Morgen Stanley, Kissinger Institute and Rodhium Group.

According to Dr. Wang, in 2016, the direct investment between China and America reached over 60 billion dollars. China and America have been benefiting and complementing each other in the development of economy and trade and both emphasize the importance of investment. Currently the both countries should further their cooperation on infrastructure construction. In terms of global governance, Dr. Wang stressed that the countries on the Belt & Road’ constitute the core areas of China’s investment and BRICS has also been the mainstay of global economy. In the past ten years, BRICS has made great contributions to the booming of world’s economy and globalization has created more space for its development. Therefore, China and America ought to collaborate more on globalization. Additionally, Dr. Wang believed that APEC has brought the two countries great economic and social benefit and the two countries should play more critical roles in the governance of global economy, security, energy and environment.

In the following ‘Q&A’ section, Dr. Wang interacted with the guests over the issues such as whether China will be more open in the future and China’s response to the trade disputes between China and America. He mentioned that China would not only be more open in the future but also it would more actively take part in international affairs. China has been the biggest trade partner of America and with the booming of the trade between the two countries and the increasing interdependence of the two economies, it has become more important to boost the cultural exchange between the two countries. Apart from these, Dr. Wang also responded to the issues like the participation of China in globalization, the countries’ cooperation on internet security, China’s status in international society and etc.

Council on Foreign Relations made a great contribution to the event. It is one of the most influential think tanks in America’s policy on China. Right before the President Trump’s visit to China and after the first- round  cultural and social communication between China and America led by Liu Yandong, the Vice Premier of State Council, the cultural exchange between the two countries has been the main force in driving the long-term development of the two countries’ relations. Through this visit, CCG aims at deepening the mutual trust and understanding between the two countries and helping think tanks play a bigger role in influencing government policies and the development of companies.

This event also marked the beginning of CCG’s visit to America. The visit will last 6 days. In the next few days, the team will head to Washington D.C. and organize an investment forum at Capitol Hill. Besides, the expert team will visit Department of Commerce of the U.S. and organize several symposiums with many top think tanks in America, including The Heritage Foundation and Migration Policy Institute.

As a leading independent think tank from China, CCG’s visit has facilitated and materialized the cultural exchange and cooperation between China and America. The CCG team include the participants as follows: Wang Huiyao, the President of CCG, Miao Lu, the Secretary-General of CCG, Li Weifeng, the Executive Secretary-General of CCG, Tang Beijie, the Deputy Secretary-General, Xiao Huilin, the Senior Researcher of CCG, Wang Zhi, the Non-Resident Senior Fellow of CCG, Li Yeqing, the Non-Resident Senior Fellow and etc.