Brookings Institution Fellow Jia Qingguo discussed the current status and future projections of the relationship between the United States and China in the post-September 11 global world in a talk titled, "The Improvement of Sino-American Relations after September 11: Is it Sustainable?" on March 13, at Hamilton.
He made some predictions about the continuation of cooperation between the two nations. He gave an overview of the many causes for tension between the two nations prior to Sept. 11, but also discussed the astounding level of cooperation China has shown since the terrorist attacks. As he pointed out, the Chinese government has condemned the bombers, much like the rest of the world, but has gone to exceptional lengths to show their support in other ways-- buying more than $1 billion of Boeing aircraft just after the terrorist attacks in order to bolster the U.S. economy, the Chinese government shared intelligence information about terrorist groups in Central Asia, and offered the U.S. a platform at APEC (which was held in China this year) for President Bush to use in pushing the anti-terrorist movement. During his visit to China President Bush said China is no longer a "strategic competitor" but a "enlightened leader."
Jia is associate dean and professor at the School of International Studies, Peking University. Prior to that, he was a lecturer in the department of government and public administration, University of Sydney, and a research fellow in the Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, University of California. Jia's most recent book, Unrealized Rapprochement: Sino-American Relations, was published in 1997 (in Chinese). Other publications include "Reflections on the Recent Tension in the Taiwan Strait", China Journal (1996) and "Economic Development, Political Stability, and International Respect," Journal of International Affairs (1996). Jia received a bachelor's degree from the Peking Institute of Foreign Languages, and a master's and doctorate from Cornell University.