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

Spending time in Beijing and Shanghai for the U.S.-China Student Dialogue was an incredibly valuable experience. This trip went beyond policy discussions and academic exchange—it was about seeing U.S.-China relations up close, meeting the people shaping them, and gaining a deeper perspective of the country beyond what we can see from afar.

Beijing was the perfect starting point. Walking through Peking University  and meeting Chinese students right away made the experience feel more like a genuine exchange than just a study trip. The student-led tour and group project work helped break the ice, and I was struck by how, despite our different backgrounds, we shared a curiosity about each other’s perspectives.

Our visits to the U.S. Embassy and the National Development and Reform Commission were some of the most eye-opening moments. At the embassy, Deputy Chief of Mission Sarah Beran provided a candid look at the realities of diplomacy in an increasingly tense geopolitical environment. She spoke about the challenges of managing bilateral relations amid growing competition, emphasizing that much of diplomacy involves maintaining dialogue even when agreements are elusive. It was particularly striking to hear how embassy staff work to engage with Chinese officials, businesses, and students despite political constraints. Their perspective underscored the importance of person-to-person connections in sustaining the relationship, even when high-level government interactions are strained.

Exploring the Forbidden City and the National Museum of China reinforced a theme that came up often in our discussions: history plays a major role in shaping China’s policies. Seeing that history firsthand made it easier to understand why China takes such a long-term approach to decision-making—something the United States often handles differently. Even the high-speed rail from Beijing to Shanghai felt symbolic of China’s rapid modernization and ambition.

Shanghai had a very different energy from Beijing. Where Beijing felt rooted in history and policy, Shanghai was forward-looking and globally oriented. Our visit to NIO, one of China’s top electric vehicle companies, highlighted the country’s major push into green energy and innovation, raising important questions about how the United States and China will navigate both competition and collaboration in emerging industries.

At the Shanghai American Chamber of Commerce, President Eric Zheng gave a practical take on how U.S. businesses are managing economic and geopolitical tensions in China. His perspective was refreshingly grounded compared to some of the higher-level geopolitical discussions we had earlier in the trip. Meanwhile, scholars at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies offered a more academic view of U.S.-China relations, diving into some of the key questions our group had been discussing. Beyond the formal meetings, we also had time to take in the city itself. The Huangpu River night tour, a visit to Yu Garden, and walking along Nanjing Pedestrian Road were some of my favorite moments.

This trip reaffirmed something I’ve long believed: real understanding comes from direct engagement. Reading about U.S.-China relations is one thing, but having conversations with diplomats, business leaders, and students—each with their own perspectives—made these issues feel much more tangible. There are real tensions in this relationship, but also real opportunities for dialogue and cooperation.

Sophia Ceriello (C’24, G’26) is a first-year graduate student in the Asian Studies Program at Georgetown University.