policymakers


2007 Policymakers Seminar Series and Trip to China


Program Mission
2007 Lecture Series
Trip to China
2007 Delegation Participants
Photo Gallery
Final Program Report

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The USCPF completed another successful year with the 2007 Policymakers Program. In early February, the foundation began the recruiting process for qualified candidates. We collected recommendations for new participants from the program’s alumni and sent information to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House International Relations Committee to recruit staffers. We received many letters of interest and applications from potential participants. By late March, we began the selection process. At that time we extended invitations to several China scholars requesting their participation in the seminar portion of the program.

In May, the foundation selected a bipartisan group of 10 congressional staffers for the program. Following notification of their acceptance, they attended a series of six seminars to learn about Chinese history, economics, politics, security and U.S.-China relations. On August 7, 9 staff members departed for a week-long trip to China to experience much of what they had learned, first-hand.

 

Program Mission

The purpose of the Policymakers Seminar and Trip to China Program is to provide a small group of Congressional staff the opportunity to enhance their understanding of China and bilateral relations.

 

 


Dr. Mike Lampton addresses the 2007 participants



2007 Lecture Series

 

Unlike other delegations to China, which often emphasize tourism, our program emphasizes education and understanding about Chinese politics, economics, and history.  The program’s unique pre-trip seminar series gives participants the rare opportunity to learn directly from the nation’s leading China specialists.  Seminar lecturers educate participants on China’s history, economic and security issues, and the current state of U.S.-China relations. This year's series of seminars comprised an ensemble of unique expertise from a variety of fields related to China.

Our 2007 schedule of speakers included:



Participants at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs


 

 

Trip to China
August 7 - August 15

The seminar series was followed by a trip to China, which took place at the end of the summer congressional recess. The trip was hosted by the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), and included activities and meetings with Chinese officials, business leaders, lawmakers in Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai. Participants in the delegation used the trip as an opportunity to apply and expand knowledge gained in the seminars through first-hand observations and experiences in China. 

In Beijing, program participants met with the U.S. ambassador to China and other representatives from the U.S. Embassy, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Ministry of Commerce, National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs. While in Xian, the staffers visited the Children’s Welfare Institution and met with officials from the Provincial People’s Congress. After arriving at their final destination, Shanghai, the group met with professors at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, representatives of the Shanghai Stock Exchange, and the Shanghai People’s Political Consultative Conference.



Policymakers Delegation visits the Xian Children's Welfare Institution

 

The Policymakers program remains the only one of its kind that prepares participants for their trip to China with seminars and lectures on a variety of subjects relating to China presented by top American scholars in the China field. By the time members of the delegation travel to China, they are equipped with a basic understanding of the country. The American embassy in Beijing always has welcomed our group enthusiastically. On many occasions, the U.S. ambassador to China also has participated in the briefing session. This year, the delegation members were fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with the Ambassador.




2007 Participants visiting Xian


 

2007 Policymakers Delegation Participants:

Emily Christensen
Press Secretary, Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT)

Craig J. Ferguson
Legislative Assistant, Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)

Shaun Garrison
Legislative Assistant, Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA)

Jaimon Jackson
Legislative Assistant, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-MI)

Jeremy Kadden
Legislative Assistant, Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV)

Patrick Lyden
Parliamentarian and Director of Member Services, House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform

Eyang Nyambi
Legislative Assistant, Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI)

Veronica Smith
Legislative Assistant, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)

Bradford Swann
Legislative Assistant Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

 

The Policymakers Program's educational trip to China is approved under Section 108A of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (MECEA). For more information, please see 22 U.S.C. §2451 et seq.

 

 

Links to additional Policymakers pages:

Previous Program Summaries & Final Reports
Policymakers Program Group Photos

Policymakers Program Home
Return to USCPF Home Page

 

 

If you have any questions about this program, please contact the Foundation at uscpf@uscpf.org.