Recent Events

June 27, 2013 | 9:30 PM EDT

Commentators have long debated whether the space for civil society is growing or shrinking in China, or whether the concept of civil society is even relevant to China. But to many of those working in the civil society sector in China, the picture is quite clear. Two major trends are emerging in China's civil society space: the rapid growth of grassroots NGOs and the increased use of public advocacy, carried out by actors ranging from NGO networks to microbloggers. 

June 13, 2013 | 12:00 AM EDT

Chinese in America endured abuse and discrimination in the late 19th century, but they had a leader and a fighter in Wong Chin Foo (1847–1898), whose story is a forgotten chapter in the struggle for equal rights in America. 

June 13, 2013 | 12:00 AM EDT

Not since Nixon met Mao in ’72 have the top leaders from the United States and China engaged in such extended informal discussions as they did last week at Sunnylands. On Thursday, June 13, at 5 p.m. EDT, the National Committee offered a discussion with two of the United States’ most thoughtful and best informed […]

June 11, 2013 | 9:30 PM EDT

China is undergoing the largest migration in human history: Since the mid-1980s, roughly 300 million people have moved from China's countryside into its cities; between now and 2025, its expected that another 300 million Chinese will make their ways in. Without appropriate urban planning, design, and construction focused on sustainable development, the consequences of this massive urbanization could be dire for China and the world.

May 16, 2013 | 9:30 PM EDT

In The Silk Road: A Very Short Introduction James Millward explores the historical background against which the silk road flourished, discusses the significance of old-world intercultural exchange, and puts the silk road into the context of world history. Professor Millward will discuss the historical significance and contemporary uses of the silk road at a National Committee program on May 16 at the Institute of International Education in New York City. Click below for a podcast interview with James Millward:

May 6, 2013 | 5:30 PM EDT

Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, is known around the world as an innovative leader and respected scholar of global strategy. Lee has been a mentor to every Chinese leader from Deng Xiaoping to Xi Jinping, and a counselor to every U.S. president from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama.

May 2, 2013 | 9:30 PM EDT

In her new book, Civil Society in China: The Legal Framework from Ancient Times to the “New Reform Era,” Catholic University Professor Karla Simon provides both an historical and contemporary analysis of the legal framework for civil society and citizen participation in China. At a National Committee public program on May 2, Professor Simon discussed […]

April 10, 2013 | 9:30 PM EDT

The United States-China relationship is at a critical juncture as both countries undergo great changes. At a National Committee program on April 10, Scott Kennedy and He Fan discussed the tensions and challenges in the relationship and offer policy recommendations from their new report, part of the Initiative on China and Global Governance project. Professors […]

March 18, 2013 | 9:30 PM EDT

At a National Committee program on Monday, March 18 Richard Bush, a senior fellow at Brookings, discussed his new book at Dorsey & Whitney in New York City.

March 15, 2013 | 4:30 PM EDT

In 2008 when Jeffrey Wasserstrom, Chancellor’s Professor of History at the University of California, Irvine, was working on his book, China in the 21st Century: What Everyone Needs to Know, China was in the headlines: it was the year of the Olympic Games, a major earthquake in Sichuan, demonstrations in Tibet, environmental protests in the Yangzi Delta, and nationalist outbursts in Beijing.

February 21, 2013 | 10:30 PM EST

Over the past decades China has experienced massive urbanization: its cities are now home to 10% of the world’s population and over 50% of the Chinese population. In The Chinese City, Weiping Wu and Piper Gaubatz explore how Chinese cities display unprecedented dynamism under the country’s growing economic power, challenging conventional urban theories and experiences of cities elsewhere. Dr. Wu discussed her new book at a National Committee program on Thursday, February 21 at the Henry Luce Foundation.

February 13, 2013 | 5:30 PM EST

Since 2007, the National Committee has run a series of multi-day briefings for mid-career officers in the United States armed services who have been fast-tracked for top leadership positions. The purpose of these seminars is to provide the participants with a general background on China and to brief them on issues not conventionally covered in their military training – such as China’s domestic politics, economic development, business and trade, foreign policy, rule of law, growth of civil society, environmental concerns and climate change, energy, and the use of soft power.