Awakened by the dragon

Before I was awakened by the dragon, China was an alien place on the other side of the planet where Communism constrained every movement of its people. In spite of this constriction on individual freedom, I assumed some form of modernity had found its way into the country; I just wasn’t really sure what it looked like. I think I have a better picture now, yet also realize how much more there is to know about China. Before, I would have never wanted to visit this vast, diverse, multi-colored land, but now I would really like to make the journey.

Too bad I didn't know about The National Committee on United States-China Relations before now. It's been around since 1966 when certain scholars and business leaders began to understand the importance of reciprocal education between the citizens of China and the United States. According to its web site, the committee was founded in the "belief that vigorous debate of China policy among Americans was essential and that balanced public education could clarify U.S. interests and strengthen our foreign policy." Continuous dialogue between citizens would foster mutual understanding, "a basic requirement for stable and productive relations."

After 40-plus years, the committee's basic purposes are the same: focusing on exchange, educational, and policy programs on international relations, economic development and management, governance and legal affairs, environmental and other global concerns, mass communication, and education administration. Some of the programs the committee sponsors are these:

Public Forum Events which, in the past, have included topics on the Shanghai Communique, International climate change negotiations between Beijing and Washington, and American and Chinese views on the world and each other. Upcoming events include opportunities to hear author David M. Lampton discuss his latest book, The Three Faces of Chinese Power: Might, Money and Minds, Judge J. Clifford Wallace speak on judicial reform in China, and three leading specialists examine the integration and implications of the American and Chinese economies.

"CHINA Town Hall: Local Connections, National Reflections" uses web casts and on-site speakers to give Americans in dozens of cities the opportunity to hear directly from policy-makers and specialists.

Twice annual Chinese education delegations visit American schools, federal government agencies, and education-related NGOs to learn about innovations and challenges in the U.S. education system with the goal of applying this knowledge to their own systems.

U.S.-China Teachers Exchange Program sends American K-12 teachers to China and brings Chinese secondary school teachers to the United States to foster the development of language and culture programs at schools in both countries.

The committee also sponsors a student exchange program and publishes several reports, including a series on China’s policies.

These programs all facilitate the belief that increased public knowledge of China and U.S.-China relations requires ongoing public education, face-to-face contact, and an honest exchange of ideas.

With organizations like this in place, and the proper high-level officials to heed its recommendations and learnings, perhaps the Sino-American relationship will flourish and help the whole world develop in harmony as well.