WSCRC

Washington State China Relations Council

WSCRC Publishes its 2nd WA-China Quarterly Report

On February 1, 2022, the WSCRC publishes its 2nd Washington State – China Quarterly report. We started this project in October 2021 to provide industry leaders, government officials, and their staff timely and important information and analysis about key developments in U.S.-China relations, with a focus on those stories most relevant to Washington state. We also include an updated summary of notable China engagements and activities among our local businesses and organizations.

As we kick off 2022, tension continues to define the geopolitical relationship between the U.S. and China. A certain stasis has developed since President Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a virtual summit at the end of November. Fortunately, there have been no major incidents to further worsen the relationship, but also no major diplomatic breakthroughs either. The 2022 Winter Olympics, once heralded as another stage for China to showcase its economic achievements, has been hindered by the emergence of Delta and Omicron variants of the Covid-19 virus.

Although the media often focuses on points of conflict between the U.S and China, business representatives who participated in a China Business Conference co-hosted by the Council and the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai in December, noted the success of their companies in the PRC, even during the pandemic. The business leaders were upbeat about their China prospects, and many planned to increase their investments in the country.

The Council—in cooperation with its educational arm, the Washington State China Relations Fund—continues to produce webinars in an effort to present a more nuanced picture of the U.S.-China relationship. Details of the event are provided at the end of the report.

Click here to read the full report.

WSCRF and World Affairs Council Tacoma Host Book Talk with Author of “China’s Civilian Army: the Making of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy”

In a webinar sponsored by the Washington State China Relations Fund and the World Affairs Council Tacoma, author Peter Martin discussed his new book, China’s Civilian Army: The Making of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy.

Peter Martin is a reporter for Bloomberg news based in Washington D.C., covering the Pentagon and State Department. He had just returned from travelling with Secretary Blinken to Kiev when he spoke to us. He lived and worked in China in the early 2000s and has extensive experience tracking and writing about China over the last two decades. His new book was motivated by an interest in understanding the role and evolution of China’s diplomatic corps.

The phrase” Wolf Warrior” diplomacy has been used to describe the aggressive style of Chinese diplomacy that became more strident under Xi’s administration. The name is adopted from a well-known Chinese action film released in 2015.

Though the phrase was relatively new, Peter noted that traditionally Chinese diplomats are expected to model the behavior of the Chinese military, hence his “China’s Civilian Army.” The notion of Chinese diplomats acting as civilian soldiers dates from the early days of the PRC. He noted that Chinese diplomats walk a tightrope. For the Chinese audience, diplomats need to be perceived as adhering closely to the party line, which often forces them to be rigid and aggressive in style. At the same time,  in order to succeed in overseas postings, they need to embrace international diplomacy norms and exhibit personal charisma.

The question was raised whether Wolf Warrior behavior is effective. Peter opined that, in general, Wolf Warrior diplomacy has been counterproductive for China’s image and reputation. China has become less favored, as illustrated in recent surveys. However, Peter does not expect Chinese diplomats to change their style anytime soon. He noted that the Wolf Warriors are appealing to a domestic audience and there is no one in China, Xi Jinping included, who has indicated that the diplomats should lessen their vitriol. Peter noted that many in the Chinese government feel that they are being “attacked” by foreigners who comment negatively on China’s policies and actions. Wolf Warrior diplomacy often entails vigorous and at times vitriolic rhetoric to counter these perceived foreign sleights.

Click here to watch the recording of the book talk.

 

Representative Rick Larsen Updates China White Paper

Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), who addressed WSCRC audiences on three occasions in 2021, recently updated his China White Paper. Larsen’s recent white paper builds on his December 2019 edition, including new priorities and recommendations while retaining the framework of the original White Paper. In his paper Larsen calls upon Congress and the Biden administration to think more broadly about its ‘China agenda.’ Instead of thinking defensively, the U.S. needs to have a proactive agenda that increases U.S. competitiveness,” said Larsen, co-founder and co-chair of the U.S.-China Working Group (USCWG).

Read a copy of the newly updated White Paper here.

In Remembrance of Stan Barer

Dear WSCRC Members and Friends,

It is with great sadness that the Washington State China Relations Council informs you of the passing of Stan Barer, one of the founding members of the Council who was instrumental in improving the U.S.-China relationship. Stan passed away peacefully on the eve of Dec. 13 after courageously battling pancreatic cancer for more than a decade.

Stan was born in Walla Walla, Washington, where his father ran a scrap metal business. He received both his Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Washington. He served as legal counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce in 1963, 1964, and 1967, Assistant U.S. Attorney in Seattle from 1965 to 1967, and then Chief of Staff to Washington State U.S. Senator Warren Magnuson between 1969 and 1974.

After leaving public service, he became a name partner in the law firm Garvey Schubert & Barer in 1974 and even after his retirement he continued to serve as the firm’s Counsel. In 1979, Stan Barer developed legal strategy and negotiated the resumption of trade between the U.S. and China after a 30-year hiatus, leading to the arrival of COSCO’s M.V. Liu Lin Hai at the Port of Seattle on April 18, 1979. It was in that year that Stan, along with four other civic and business leaders, founded the Washington State China Relations Council. At an interview to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the arrival of M.V. Liu Lin Hai, Stan said that “China has been an important part of my life, and that has been a joy.” To honor his extraordinary contributions to U.S.-China relations over the decades, the Council presented him the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

Stan co-founded Saltchuk, a diversified transportation and distribution company, in 1982 and served as Chairman until 1994. He became Chairman Emeritus in 2001.

The Council is honored to have been graced by Stan’s legacy, wisdom, guidance, and service over the years. Our hearts and thoughts are with Stan’s family and loved ones. Stan’s memorable and extraordinary life and accomplishments are described in this obituary on Seattle Times.

WSCRC Produces its First China Quarterly Report

Welcome to the Washington State China Relations Council’s first “China Quarterly Report.” The intent of this communique is to provide timely and important information about U.S.-China relations, key developments of interest and relevance in China, and an update on the progress of local entities in their interactions with China. The Council – drawing upon its 42-year history, knowledge, and resources – is well positioned to track, analyze, and report on the Pacific Northwest’s important economic, cultural, and educational relationship with China. We hope this report, coupled with other works of the Council, provide key resources for industry leaders, government officials and their staff.

Read the full report.

Search

Language Option

Social Media

Get In Touch

Address

Washington State China Relations Council

1301 5th Avenue, Suite 1500 Seattle, WA 98101-2611

Tel: (206) 441 - 4419

E-mail: info@wscrc.org

Copyright © 2025 Washington State China Relations Council. All rights reserved. · Privacy Policy