For two weeks each year, outstanding senior high school students from the United States and China put down their books and see firsthand what life is like in the other country.

Administered by the National Committee since 1981, this program sends American educators to China for four weeks each summer. It provides educators with the opportunity to gain valuable insight into a culture that is increasingly becoming an important element in American curricula.

Twice annual 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 an eye toward applying this knowledge in a Chinese context.

Delegation of American mayors and other municipal leaders meet with Chinese government, business, and NGO leaders to share best practices in the field of green initiatives and sustainable urban development.

An exchange of American and Chinese museum professionals, specialists and government officials to share experiences and ideas on how museums can best engage young audiences and serve as educational resources.

Study tour for six editors from the United States to meet with the foreign policy community in Beijing, Shanghai, and Taipei.

Experts discuss (and demonstrate) best practices of municipal e-governance systems currently in use in cities across the globe.

Comprised of 20 young American China scholars, the Public Intellectuals Program expands and deepens the scholars' knowledge of aspects of China beyond their own specialties and encourages their active engagement as public intellectuals both within and beyond their professional and geographic communities.

National Committee and two partners worked with the Ministry of Labor and Social Security on a multi-year effort to assist the Chinese government in its efforts to strengthen protection of workers’ rights and to comply with internationally recognized labor standards.

Former North Carolina Democratic Senator John Edwards gets educated about China by engaging in direct dialogues with Chinese officials, business executives and specialists.

Project takes a close look at the community planning models used by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 1996, the National Committee brought together a group of international experts from the United States, Canada, and Thailand to present a series of best-practices workshops in China on the workings on non-governmental organizations.

In the summer of 1990, at a time when few PRC delegations were traveling abroad, the National Committee brought the mayors of six of China’s largest and most outward-looking cities to the United States.

Seven representatives of the National People’s Congress and State Education Commission observe how Americans bring lawsuits against their government.

The first program to incorporate “Greater China” into the National Committee’s field of operations, this delegation brought together eleven Cantonese-speaking journalists from the PRC, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Committee-organized study tour program supplements the academic training Chinese scholars and students already receive while studying at U.S. institutions by giving greater exposure to America’s history, culture, and key institutions.

During a three-week stay, delegation of Chinese municipal leaders, also including city planners, architects, and engineers, focuses on a wide spectrum of urban issues affecting American cities.

Two years before normalization of relations, program provides young American elected officials and others involved in local and state politics with an opportunity to meet with their counterparts and increase their understanding of China.

While a few staff members accompanied their Senators and Congressmen on Congressional trips to China in the early 70s, it was not until 1976 that the first group made up entirely of Senate and House committee staff members visited China.

Program sends delegation of leaders from American organizations active in public education about world affairs to China in October 1975. Visit provides opportunity for George H.W. Bush to meet Deng Xiaoping for the first time.

Academic exchange with the People’s Republic reaches new heights as U.S. delegation visits China, and is received by then Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping.

Working with the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the Committee expands its U.S.-China exchange programs beyond sports and culture by hosting a group of Chinese journalists. The Committee introduces them to their professional counterparts and provides a window into American life.

Program examines how national and local governments can foster the development of media and cultural industries via a forum and, for Chinese participants, complementary site visits to government offices, media outlets, and cultural institutions.

Delegations of young leaders from NGOs and local governments in post-Katrina areas of the Gulf Coast and earthquake-affected regions of Sichuan travel to China and the U.S. to exchange ideas on integrating environmental sustainability into long-term post-disaster recovery.

Committee programs a week-long trip to Beijing and Shanghai for Michael Moskow, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Two-way exchange seeks to help raise the level of discourse in Chinese news media about HIV/AIDS and related issues, call attention to society’s attitudes towards marginalized groups, encourage community involvement in finding solutions, and stimulate policy debates on a national response.

Committee organizes listening tours to China for Congressional staffers to get a clearer understanding of the country's accomplishments and challenges.

Orientation program exposes up-and-coming government officials to American history, politics, and contemporary society through a two-week study tour of the eastern United States

A combined study tour and internship placement provides opportunities for seven Chinese legal aid administrators to observe the administration and governance of American legal service organizations.

Members of Congress travel to China with Committee president Stephen Orlins to meet with high-level officials, discussing security issues and military to military relations.

Delegations of government officials, scholars, and experts travel to the U.S. and China to find more productive ways of managing public participation in issues such as eminent domain, demolition, and relocation.