Initiative for U.S.-China Dialogue on Global Issues

U.S. and Chinese young people should focus not only on finding common ground with one another, but also better understanding our differing ideological assumptions, cultural backgrounds, and social values. Global issues such as counterterrorism, environmental sustainability, nuclear proliferation, and human rights are complex challenges that also have ideological underpinnings. Both Chinese and Americans view such issues with differing assumptions and ideological lens. By learning opposing perspectives, we can learn how to better work with one another to address such challenges.

American and Chinese university students have also both benefited by growing up in a globalized and digitally connected world. Due to globalization, we are now more connected to each other than ever. In contrast to our parent’s generation, we have had more opportunities to engage with a variety of ideas and perspectives through technological channels such as Facebook and Twitter. Using such channels, American and Chinese university students should engage in dialogue in determining how to address the most pressing global issues of our generation.

As displayed by the prevalent start-up culture, our generation has proved to be both innovative and risk-taking. Rooted in creativity and determination, young people should approach complex global issues with an innovative perspective. Through the development of revolutionary companies such as Facebook and Uber, we have proven our ability to put ideas into action and boldly challenge the status quo.  With that same ethos and spirit, we should channel our creativity in addressing complex global challenges. 

In today’s interconnected society, the global challenges and dilemmas we face have only become more complex and multilayered. Militarily, the United States and China have two of the world’s largest defense budgets. Disputes have escalated as China seeks to assert its dominance in the South China Sea while the United States and its allies try to protect the region’s sea-lanes of control. In addition, the United States and China continue to clash on issues related to cyber security. To arrive on common ground, it is imperative for future American and Chinese leaders to collaborate, communicate, and negotiate effectively.  Although the United States and China have made remarkable progress on issues such as climate change, as seen with the signing the United Nations Paris Agreement last April, much more needs to be done. North Korea just recently tested a nuclear bomb, political instability and terrorism are still plaguing the Middle East, and the global economy is still fragile from the effects of Brexit. The future path for collaboration is still very long, and young Chinese and American leaders must not underestimate their role or significance in paving the way.

Richard Chang is a senior at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.

COMMENT FROM ZHIHANG DU (January 3, 2017): 

When U.S. and Chinese students communicate with each other, it is important to have open discussions on shared interests as well as disputes. I don’t think a meeting full of “I totally agree with you” can really help our understanding of one another. There is still much uncertainty about which way international currents will flow in the coming years, and it will be of even greater importance that students from both sides keep in touch and maintain a channel for bilateral communication. Hopefully, open minded discussions can decrease uncertainty so that further damages, like those simply resulting from a lack of knowledge, can be prevented.

COMMENT FROM YUWEN LONG (January 19, 2017):

China and the United States have as many common interests as disputes nowadays. What is recognized by all is that cooperation between China and the United States will benefit both countries and the world while conflicts will do the opposite. Among those understandings and common values, I think we need to make clear what specific fields can come to the bargaining table and what cannot. For example, the “One China” policy as a foundation of China-U.S. cooperation is not negotiable like other sovereignty issues. Clearly, we still have a long way to go to build the China-U.S. relationship, and finding the right direction is first and foremost.