http://www.bjreview.com APRIL 20, 2017 BEIJING REVIEW 21
trust associated with some disagreements
between the two countries, such as over the
South China Sea, will not disrupt their mutual
academic exchanges. Those exchanges are,
according to her, ìour best chance for both the
U.S. and China to share in training young people
from our two countries to reduce the very mis-
trust that can disrupt the bilateral relationship.î
Simon said that given Chinaís importance
for the United States in all dimensionsópoliti-
cal, economic, and socialóthe relationship will
hopefully grow with time. ìWe need more aca-
demic exchanges, both at civilian universities,
and also at military higher education institutions.
Itís important that government and military
personnel are able to understand each other in
much the same way that academics meet and
exchange research.î
Moving forward
What impact will those participating in Sino-
American educational exchanges have on
the future of their countries? As Chinaís influ-
ence on the world stage grows, American and
other international students are choosing to
pursue China studies and the study of Chinese
language in increasing numbers, according to
Madelyn Ross, Director of the Hopkins Nanjing
Center in Washington, D.C. and Associate
Director of the Johns Hopkins University in
China (SAIS-China).
The Chinese Ambassador to the United
States, Cui Tiankai, is a 1987 graduate of the
SAIS, and the former U.S. Ambassador to
Viet Nam and Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, David Shear,
is a 1987 graduate of the SAIS. These high-
ranking officials exemplify the importance of
programs seeking to educate the next genera-
tion of leaders.
Ross told Beijing Review that their gradu-
ates are also helping to manage trade and
investment in and with China, employed by
companies including Apple and Chinese e-
commerce giant Alibaba. ìI would say that the
number of young people who choose to pursue
China studies in depth and bring a deep under-
standing of Chinaís history and culture to their
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is already helping to bring greater wisdom to
bear in managing the whole gamut of Sino-
foreign relations,î said Ross.
Similar programs in China include the
Schwarzman Scholars international scholarship
program, which was founded by the co-founder
and chairman of the multinational private eq-
uity Blackstone Group, Stephen A. Schwarzman.
According to its website, the program, based in
Beijingís Tsinghua University, was launched in
2016 following an endowment of $350 million
and was inspired by the Rhodes Scholarships.
On March 16, Robert Garris, the Global
Director of Admissions for Schwarzman
Scholars, said on the programís Facebook page
that Schwarzman Scholars is about connect-
ing a cohort of young leaders from around the
world with their peers in China.
ìThe mentors for Schwarzman scholars
come, in some instances, from the ministries of
the national government. There is a very vibrant
technology entrepreneurship community in
Beijing. Whether itís making connections to
government, [or] making connections to really
innovative entrepreneurial businesses in China,
the location in Beijing just makes all of that pos-
sible for us,î said Garris.
The Yenching Academy in Peking
University, also in Beijing, hosts a similar pro-
gram designed to cultivate leadership.
Christopher Murphy, a Yenching scholar
from the U.S., told Beijing Review that after
a brief stint learning Chinese in Harbin and
Hangzhou, he wanted to return to align his aca-
demic trajectory with his aspiration to serve as a
diplomat in China.
ìAs Yenching scholars, I believe we have
some of the most impacting roles on the future
of Sino-Western relations. We are bridge build-
ers. We are learning to build bridges between
people and nations. We are being trained to
enhance our analytical skills in such a way thatCopyedited by Chris Surtees
Comments to [email protected]will not only enable us to further understand
our home countriesí positions in international
relations, but Chinaís as well,î said Murphy.
Murphy claimed that the most important
aspect of the program is that Yenching scholars
are learning to communicate with the Chinese.
ìMuch emphasis is placed on understanding
Chinese culture, which is crucial. Participating
in programs such as [those provided by] the
Yenching Academy will have remarkable im-
pacts on future Sino-Western relations, because
they train students to understand what is be-
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said.
These views are echoed by other acade-
micians such as Ahrens, who said relations
between China and the U.S. will go through bet-
ter and worse periods, but that people on both
sides who have spent significant time in each
otherís country, learning the language and ab-
sorbing the culture, are needed. ìI do not think
it is hyperbole to say that prosperity, stability,
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on both sides actively cultivating bilingual,
bi-cultural talents,î he added. Q(Source: American Madarin Society; designed by Pamela Tobey)
Growing Exchanges on Education and People
China has been the largest source
of international students in
the United States. By 2016, over
300,000 Chinese students study in
the United States, accounting for 30% of total
international students in the United States.300,000
The United States ranks
second in the number
of foreign students
studying in China.
The number exceeds
23,000.SCAN QR TO WATCH: Students and graduates on Xi-Trump meeting