U.S. Track II Delegation Visits the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China

On November 8, 2023, the delegation of American rising scholars participating in a U.S.-China Track II Dialogue was invited to visit the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China and engaged in academic exchanges with the faculty from the School of International Studies and the School of Law.

Members of the American youth scholars delegation came from prestigious U.S. institutions, think tanks, and organizations, such as Stanford University, the University of California at Santa Barbara, Indiana University, the Eurasia Group, the Stimson Center, the Carter Center, and the National Committee on United States-China Relations.

Zhang Tengjun, the Deputy Director of the Institute of American Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, and Assistant Research Fellow Wang Yufan was also in attendance to the visit.

Zheng Xinye, vice President of Renmin University of China, welcomed the American scholars. He stated, 'The relationship between China and the U.S. indeed finds its hope in the people, its foundation in society, its vitality at the local level, and its future in the youth.' Renmin University aims to actively promote increased understanding, develop consensus, and strengthen friendly relations within the academic communities of China and the U.S.

Anna Ashton, speaking on behalf of the American rising scholars, began by expressing her delight at visiting China again after four years. Ashton noted the recent warming of exchanges between China and the U.S., which she viewed as commendable. Furthermore, Ashton emphasized the importance of interactions and dialogues between nations, as they foster mutual understanding.

The discussion session was moderated by Li Chen, Vice Dean at the School of International Studies. Scholars from both sides engaged in a lively exchange of questions and responses, focusing their discussions on regional and state-specific studies, factors influencing China-U.S. relations, development trends, and key areas of interest.

Participants in the exchange and discussion also included Di Dongsheng, Vice Dean at the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China, along with young faculty members Ji Xianbai, Liu Xu, Xu Yanyan, Li Xiafei, Wu Di, and Liu Luxin. Liu Yang, a young faculty member from the School of Law, also took part in the discussions.