U.S.-China Relations: Can Competitive Cooperation Avoid Conflict?

“Bridges to the World” with Dr. Douglas Spelman

February 12th, 10:00 – 11:00 am

Speaker

Biography

Dr. Spelman retired from the United States Foreign Service in 2007, after three decades of service, with the rank of Minister Counselor in its Senior Service. His domestic assignments included the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, the Office of Taiwan Coordination and the India desk. Overseas, he served in Hong Kong, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Taiwan, and Shanghai. From 2009 to 2012 he was Deputy Director of the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington. He now serves as a Senior Advisor to the Institute.

Additional Resources

·  Biography and Major Publications, http://www.wilsoncenter.org/staff/douglas-spelman

·  Appearances by Spelman, Woodrow Wilson Center, http://www.youtube.com/user/WoodrowWilsonCenter/search?query=spelman

·  Kissinger Institute on China and the United States homepage, http://www.wilsoncenter.org/program/kissinger-institute-china-and-the-united-states

Topic

Overview

China is a rising economic and political power. Both China and the United States have interest in forming a workable relationship based on shared security concerns, trade, and other factors. However, despite years of diplomatic relations on the highest level and cultural exchange through tourism and trade, the relationship is distinguished by mutual mistrust. Our different histories, cultures, and political philosophies challenge our partnership, but there are ways forward to evolve our relationship for mutual benefit.

Lesson Plan Resource

Maupin, Lara. “China’s Economy,” Newshour Extra Lesson Plans, MacNeil-Lehrer Productions, 2014, Article, 27 Jan. 2014, http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/world/china.html

Additional Resources

·  Readings

o  Boykoff, Pamela. “U.S. to be top destination for Chinese tourists,” CNNMoney.com, CNN, 20 Jan. 2014, Article, 27 Jan. 2014, http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/20/news/economy/china-tourism-us/

o  Hachigian, Nina. “The Awkward State of U.S.-China Relations,” The Los Angeles Times, 27 December 2013, Article, 27 Jan. 2014, http://articles.latimes.com/2013/dec/27/opinion/la-oe-hachigian-u-s--china-relationship-20131227

o  Roy, Danny. “U.S.-China Relations and the Western Pacific,” TheDiplomat.com, 16 Jan. 2014, Article, 27 Jan. 2014 http://thediplomat.com/2014/01/us-china-relations-and-the-western-pacific/

o  Spelman, Douglas, editor. “The United States and China: Mutual Public Perceptions,” Kissinger Institute on China and the United States, Wilson Center, 2011, Publication, 27 Jan. 2014, http://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/the-united-states-and-china-mutual-public-perceptions

·  Visual/Interactive

o  “China-US: Trust Before Cooperation, or Vice Versa?” Asia Society, 9 Jan. 2014, Video, 27 Jan. 2014, http://asiasociety.org/video/policy/china-us-trust-cooperation-or-vice-versa

o  “United States and China: The Image of the Globe’s Two Superpowers,” Global Attitudes Project, Pew Research Center, 18 July 2013, Webpage, 27 Jan. 2014, http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/07/18/united-states-and-china-the-image-of-the-globes-two-superpowers/

o  “What Does China Think?” CNPolitics.com, 10 Jan. 2013, Infographic, 27 Jan. 2014 http://www.chinafile.com/what-does-china-think