美中全球议题对话项目

As our plane touched down at Beijing Capital International Airport, our excitement was palpable. After four virtual dialogue sessions with our peers from Peking University, we were finally about to meet face-to-face and experience China firsthand. This trip represented the culmination of months of digital conversations about climate change and U.S.-China relations, now we would see how these discussions translated to real-world interactions.

Our trip began at Peking University’s historic campus, where our initial nervousness at meeting our hosts quickly turned into free-flowing conversation. Walking through the grounds, the beautiful Weiming Lake and traditional architecture offered a stark contrast to Georgetown University's gothic spires. The formality of our virtual sessions dissolved as we shared meals in the university cafeteria and worked together on our group presentations. The students who had appeared as faces in digital boxes were now part of animated companions, as we exchanged jokes and personal stories about university life.

The highlight of our academic exchanges came during our formal presentations. As each group presented their research, I was impressed by how our perspectives had evolved since our first virtual meeting. What had once been cautious exchanges about policy differences had transformed into nuanced discussions acknowledging  challenges and opportunities for our countries’ bilateral relationship going forward.

Our visit to the U.S. Embassy provided a fascinating on-the-ground glimpse into diplomatic relations, particularly for a School of Foreign Service student such as myself. Deputy Chief of Mission Sarah Beran spoke candidly about the complexities of maintaining dialogue during periods of tension. Standing in the embassy compound—U.S. soil in the heart of Beijing—the geopolitical realities we had discussed abstractly online suddenly felt tangible and immediate.

This trip particularly complimented my coursework within my major of science, technology, and international affairs and concentration in energy and environment through deepening my understanding of global climate policy and technology. The meetings at China’s National Development and Reform Commission and the Shanghai Institute for International Studies offered invaluable insights into how Chinese policymakers and academics view climate cooperation, and I particularly enjoyed hearing about our countries’ different approaches to environmental policy. Our visit to electric vehicle manufacturer NIO demonstrated China’s rapid advancement in green technology. Seeing their cutting-edge electric vehicles and infrastructure firsthand challenged some of my preconceptions about China’s environmental commitments and illustrated the country’s serious investment in sustainable transportation solutions.

Perhaps the most meaningful moments came during our unscheduled time—walking through the Forbidden City, taking a night cruise on the Huangpu River, or simply sharing delicious meals of dumplings and tanghulu among newfound friends. These informal interactions revealed our similarities as students with shared concerns about our future planet, despite growing up in different political systems.

Upon my return to Georgetown, I reflect on how this experience has transformed my understanding of U.S.-China relations. What began as cautious virtual exchanges has evolved into lasting friendships and deeper cross-cultural understanding. While significant differences in perspective remain at the geopolitical level, this journey has reinforced my belief that student diplomacy creates individual-level foundations for future cooperation, particularly when governmental relations are strained.

In an era when U.S.-China dialogue faces numerous challenges, our experience suggests that continued exchange at the student level remains not just possible, but essential for nurturing the mutual understanding that will be required to address global challenges like climate change.

Kalyn Ouk (SFS’26) is a junior at Georgetown University majoring in science, technology, and international affairs with a concentration in energy and environment and a minor in biology.