Participants from the Charhar delegation led by the independent think tank’s chairman, Dr. Han Fangming, included Dr. Jia Qingguo from Peking University, Dr. Li Nan from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Ambassador Li Qiangmin from Charhar Institute, Ambassador Luo Linquan from the China Public Diplomacy Association, Dr. Su Hao from China Foreign Affairs University, Dr. Wang Chong and Dr. Zhang Guobin from the Charhar Institute. From the U.S. side, Bush China Foundation’s vice chairman Charles Foster led the delegation, which comprised Dr. Jennifer Bouey from the RAND Corporation, David Firestein and Robbin Goodman from the Foundation and Jeff Moseley, former president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business.
Participants delved into a list of issues of mutual concern to both the United States and China, as well as steps to improve mutual understanding by deescalating bilateral tensions and gradually restoring people-to-people exchanges at all levels. Of particular note was a discussion on how think tanks can create opportunities in Track 2 diplomacy and inform public and official perceptions in both countries.
This discussion is part of the Foundation’s continued efforts to facilitate substantive exchanges with policy influencers and formulate concrete suggestions on practical ways ahead in these challenging times in bilateral relations. Through this event, the Foundation affirms its commitment to creating communication channels for timely debates and discussions through active engagement with important stakeholders.