The Policy Leaders Orientation Program builds on the earlier success of the National Committee’s Scholar and Consular Orientation Programs – first begun in 1980 – that provided U.S.-based Chinese students and diplomats, at a key stage in their career development, an introduction to U.S. political, economic, social, and cultural institutions and opportunities to interact with a wide range of American citizens.

The current Policy Leaders Orientation Program, begun in 2007, provides a similar opportunity to mid-career diplomats, officials and policy analysts. Each year two delegations visit the United States – one made up of China-based government officials and think tank scholars and the other made up of U.S.-based Chinese diplomats. The program provides participants with first-hand experience with a broad cross-section of relevant issues as well as opportunities for direct dialogue with Americans outside their particular sphere of expertise.

In the fall of 2009, a delegation of China-based officials traveled to America for a study tour focused on American politics, economics, history, and culture. The delegation visited Williamsburg, Washington, D.C., Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, and New York City for meetings with government agencies, think tanks, and non-governmental organizations, as well as visits to national monuments and other sites of historical or cultural importance. Home-stays with American families are a highlight of the program.

Delegation members were drawn from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Environmental Protection; Ministry of Commerce; Ministry of National Defense; the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party; Ministry of Finance; China Securities and Regulatory Commission; General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine; and Chinese People’s Institute for Foreign Affairs.

The delegation of U.S.-based diplomats will follow a similar itinerary for its trip in December 2009. The delegation is comprised of two representatives each from China’s embassy and consulates in the United States and the Chinese mission to the U.N.