On November 16, 2022, the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR) held its 16th annual China Town Hall. The two-part event featured a national webcast keynote, followed by local virtual discussions hosted by NCUSCR partners across the country. The Washington State China Relations Council (WSCRC) and the China Studies Program and East Asia Center at the University of Washington’s (UW) Jackson School of International Studies served as the local partners/sponsors in Seattle.
The national webcast featured former Ambassador to China, Russia, and Singapore, Jon Huntsman, and was moderated by Stephen Orlins, President of the NCUSCR. Ambassador Huntsman touched on a host of issues, including the importance of people-to-people diplomacy, the shifting political and economic landscape in China and U.S.-China relations since the ascent of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the importance of trade, and U.S. policies on and towards China.
The local discussion panel included University of Washington professors Susan Whiting (political science) and David Bachman (Jackson School), and was moderated by Dr. Spencer Cohen, Principal at the consulting firm High Peak Strategy and an affiliate professor at the University of Washington. The discussion covered a wide range topics and issues affecting U.S.-China relations, including takeaways from the recently concluded 20th Party Congress, the Biden-Xi in-person meeting on the sidelines of the G20 in Bali, domestic challenges, and the direction of U.S.-China bilateral relationship. Some of the highlights of the conversation included:
• The dramatic reduction in people-to-people exchange due to China’s ongoing dynamic Zero-COVID policy. These exchanges—cultural, education, familial, and friendship ties—are critical to improving understanding and reducing tensions between our two countries.
• Dr. Whiting speculated on the intentions behind recent government-triggered economic crises, such as in real estate and Zero-COVID. For example, was the government-led effort to deleverage the real estate sector an effort to reset the sector and clear away many of the obstacles inhibiting reforms previously laid out but not implemented (during the Third Plenum of the 18th Party Congress), or to expand the role of the state?
• Dr. Bachman commented on the composition of the new Politburo and Standing Committee and experience among its members. A large number of the new members come from positions leading provinces and special administration regions, such as Li Qiang (Shanghai Party Chief and projected next premier), and not from within the Central government. These provincial—as opposed to extensive central government—backgrounds may shape how they conduct national policy.
• There is wide consensus that the meeting between President Biden and President Xi earlier this week was a good sign towards improving the bilateral relationship. That said, both speakers cautioned that we should not be too optimistic at this point.