At the joint invitation of Institute for Global Cooperation and Understanding, Peking University (iGCU) and American Studies Center, Michael Fuchs, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State responsible for ASEAN affairs, paid a visit to School of International Studies, Peking University on May 8th, 2015, and held a symposium themed "Current China-U.S. Relations" with the students and teachers. Prof. Wang Yong from School of International Studies, Peking University presided over this symposium, which attracted over 40 participants, including Prof. Wang Jisi, Dean of Institute of International and Strategic Studies of Peking University, Prof. Fan Shiming, Deputy Dean of School of International Studies, Peking University, Associate Professor Wang Dong and Dr. Wu Xiangning, Executive Deputy Directors ofInstitute for Global Cooperation and Understanding, Peking University, Li Chen, Lecturer from School of International Studies, Renmin University of China and students of School of International Studies, Peking University.
During the symposium, Fuchs stated that the "Pivot to Asia" strategy of the U.S. was not meant to target at China; instead, it aims to promote the development of the entire region, as well as common interests of China and the U.S.. He stressed that sincere and open communications between China and the U.S. will help to solve problems in the long run. According to Fuchs, the American government and congress are not entirely consistent on foreign policy. But the disputes in the congress shall also be seen as the source for America' s political vigor. He believes that the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue (SED) between China and the U.S. shall be normalized; besides, China and the U.S. shall handle the bilateral relationship, including network security issue and the South China Sea dispute, via open and direct dialogues to avoid misunderstanding and misinterpretation, or escalation of the tension.
Prof. Wang Yong embarked on a discussion with Fuchs on whether the U.S. has the willingness to join Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Fuchs stressed that AIIB helps to meet the infrastructure demands, and the US will focus on how AIIB operates, how could it operate in the right way, and how could it make positive and constructive investment and development policies during its operation. Fuchs pointed out that instead of viewing AIIB as a difference between China and the U.S. or an area for the two countries to compete, it shall be seen as a potential cooperation opportunity for China and the U.S. Both China and the U.S. must ensure that the operating mechanism and operating rules of AIIB are compatible with existing multilateral mechanisms, and it shall promote development together with other mechanisms.
In terms of educational exchange and overseas students, Prof. Fan Shiming believes that overseas education can be viewed as an important component of the American power. Fuchs expressed his support for Prof. Fan' s opinion. He said that government officials in many countries studied or lived in the United States, and this trend will last for a long time.Currently, the American government is encouraging more Americans to study in China, and further their understandings of China. Fuchs also admitted that the U.S. attaches great importance to its allies' interests, and this tradition will not change.When it came to the South China Sea dispute, Fuchs reiterated the U.S.' neutrality on the issue, and claimed that the U.S. values transparency and whether the parties follow the international laws.Associate Professor Wang Dong responded that ambiguity is a unique oriental culture; when handling East Asia affairs, ambiguity helps to reduce the conflict and create a conducive macro-environment for peaceful settlement of issues. Fuchs expressed that he was inspired by the above opinion.
Via open dialogue and communication, this symposium helps to avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretation, and thus, promote mutual understanding between China and the U.S. At the end, Fuchs said that this symposium benefited him a lot, and he wishes to have more communications with students and teachers of Peking University in the future.
Note: From 2009 to 2013, Fuchs was a special councillor and special assistant for Hillary Clinton, the United States Secretary of State responsible for strategic dialogues, as well as a member of the policy planning team of the Secretary of State. Fuchs took the position of U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State since April 2013, and took charge in strategic and multilateral affairs in Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
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