The year 2008 was an eventful year for China and the World; this year also marked the expansion and development of the Tsinghua Center for US-China Relations （CUSCR）.
CUSCR is the first research institute specializing in US-China relations established by a Chinese institution of higher education. Since its establishment, CUSCR has striven to become a world-respected innovative think tank in China as to become “a window of strategic thinking, a platform for academic exchange, an institution for training talent”. In 2008, CUSCR focused on three key areas: strengthening the academic team, launching a series of new major initiatives, and producing critical research that influenced policy-making, which altogether have yielded substantial results.
To strengthen the academic team, we have continued to recruit world-class researchers support our long-term vision to join our team. In early 2008, we called on many renowned scholars in Beijing, Shanghai, Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, and elsewhere, visited academic institutions, and received generous support and assistance from influential leaders in government and academia. In 2008, CUSCR engaged six senior researchers (including an American scholar who continues to work fulltime for CUSCR), 5 senior part-time researchers, and eight international advisers. John Holden, former President of the National Committee on US-China Relations, accepted the invitation to serve as the Chairman of the International Advisory Board.
This past year, CUSCR launched several major research programs and initiated several important projects. Following the launch of the “Oral History of Sino-US Relations” project, together with the assistance of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other organizations, CUSCR collaborated with the CCTV national broadcast network and invited distinguished politicians, includes the former U.S. Presidents George W. H. Bush and Jimmy Carter, former Secretaries of State George Schultz, Warren Christopher, Madeleine Albright, Colin Powell, and former U.S. ambassadors to China. The center also invited James Lilly, Winston Lord, and Stapleton Roy, to participate in the project to share some of their experiences in China. In addition, CUSCR participated in the production of a series of TV programs and newspaper and magazine coverage of the 44th U.S. presidential election and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. These initiatives were further supported through academic support the center garnered for national public diplomacy activities such as the Photo Exhibition marking the 30th Anniversary of Bilateral Diplomatic Ties between China and the United States which drew widespread public attention.
2008 has also been a year of significant scholarship. CUSCR published the “American Studies” series (6 monographs in total), completed an action plan submitted by the Leading Group of Sino-US Strategic Economic Dialogue, Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and other agencies, and successfully held three major international conferences and 15 discussion forums.
In 2009, CUSCR will continue to recruit prominent researchers who intend to study Sino-US relations and promote research efforts on pertinent issues such as the U.S. financial crisis and President Obama’s “New Deal”. CUSCR will continue to cooperate with relevant government departments and agencies in policy consultation in order to provide informed policy reports that will contribute to China’s successful policy engagement approach with the United States.
I am indebted to Mr. Yu Pinhai, a distinguished compatriot and entrepreneur, whose generous donation makes possible the establishment of the Sino-U.S. Research Foundation at Tsinghua University. The fund has provided invaluable support for the development of CUSCR. I would like also to express my gratitude toward Mr. Chen Xi, the Former Chairman of the Tsinghua University Council and many other leaders for their continued support. It is through their assistance that CUSCR has successfully accomplished the renovation of building No. 27 of Sheng Yin Yuan.
The establishment and growth of CUSCR is imbued with our dreams and hopes, our enthusiasm and ideals, and the dedication and support of teachers and friends. I would like to express my deep gratitude to all the those who have been instrumental in the development of CUSCR in 2008. Your encouragement and dedication to supporting us will continue to be both an inspiration and a driving force!
