The 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of PRC-US Diplomatic Relations: Past, Present and Future
December 15-16, 2008 (Beijing, PRC)
On December 16, 1978, the Chinese and American governments simultaneously published the Joint Communiqué of the People’s Republic of China and the United States Concerning the Establishment of Their Diplomatic Relations. The establishment of the diplomatic relations marked a historic turning point in the bilateral relations of the People’s Republic of China and the United States.
To commemorate this milestone, the USCPF co-sponsored a two-day event with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), in Beijing on December 15 – 16, 2008. A delegation of senior U.S. officials, scholars, and businessmen, as well as senior level Chinese ministers and government officials participated in the conference, which served as an essential part of Chinese official activities for the anniversary.
The conference, entitled “The 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of PRC-US Diplomatic Relations: Past, Present and Future,” focused on U.S.-China relations in a historical progression. Discussion sessions included the following subject areas: an overview of Sino-American relations since 1978; Sino-American relations under a strategic context (1980s); Sino-American Cooperation and Disputes (1990s); Sino-American Relations in 2000s: From Strategic Competitor to Stakeholder; key issues and elements in Sino-American relations and lessons learned; and the future of Sino-American relations.
The USCPF was proud to lead a delegation of leading China scholars and former diplomats including Dr. David M. Lampton, dean of faculty and director of the China Studies Program at Johns Hopkins University (SAIS); Dr. Kenneth Lieberthal, China director at the Davidson Institute of the University of Michigan and visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution; the Honorable J. Stapleton Roy, former U.S. ambassador to China; the Honorable Chas W. Freeman, Jr., former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia; and Dr. Chi Wang, president and co-chair of the USCPF. In addition, Dr. Joseph Nye, university distinguished professor at Harvard University, submitted a paper to the USCPF entitled that was read by Ms. Corinne Milliken a USCPF program associate.
For a comprehensive summary of the event, please click here.
To view a PDF transcript of Amb. Freeman's remarks, please click here.
CASS is the leading academic research institution in social sciences and humanities, as well as the top think tank for international studies in China. The USCPF is proud and honored to cooperate with it as we work to improve understanding between the U.S. and China.
