2009 Policymakers Chiefs of Staff Trip to China

Trip to China
2009 Delegation Participants
Photo Gallery

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In early April, the USCPF led a ten-day delegation of bipartisan congressional staff to China. Consisting primarily of congressional chiefs of staff, the delegation was hosted in China by the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA). During their time in China, participants visited both the highly urbanized and economically developed cities of Beijing and Shanghai as well as the rural provinces of Inner Mongolia and Gansu. Visits to diverse areas of China allowed delegates to witness the dramatic economic growth that has taken place in many of China's municipalities, while also observing the significant demand for development that remains in China's rural provinces.

Policymakers at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing

In Beijing, the delegation met with representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the Chinese Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Commerce, and the National People’s Congress. In addition, they visit sites of cultural and historical importance such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Following their time in Beijing, participants traveled to Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia and visited with local ethnic minorities and representatives of the local government. Next, the delegation continued on to Gansu province where they visited cultural sites in the cities of Jiayuguan and Dunhuang and met with members of the local government. In Shanghai, the final city visited during the trip, participants met with the U.S. deputy consul general and representatives from the Shanghai Municipal Government and the Pudong New Area Government and visited the World Expo 2010 site.

Not only did participants enjoy their time in China, but also, upon their return to the United States, they have begun applying their newly acquired knowledge to their work advising members of Congress on policy regarding China.

Policymakers vist Dunhuang, Gansu Province

2009 Policymakers Delegation Participants:

Angela Evans
Deputy Director, Congressional Research Service

Huck Gutman, PhD
Chief of Staff, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I - VT)

Beth Jafari
Chief of Staff, Sen. John Cornyn (R - TX)

Maura Keefe
Chief of Staff, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D - NH)

David McKean
Majority Staff Director, U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Lisa Quigley
Chief of Staff, Rep. Jim Cooper (D - TN)

Amanda Renteria
Chief of Staff, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D - MI)

John Sandy
Chief of Staff, Sen. James E. Risch (R - ID)

Ryan Thompson
Chief of Staff Sen. James Inhofe (R - OK)

 

Policymakers meet with local ethnic minorities in Inner Monglia

 

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