On April 19, 2024, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng visited the Fairbank Center for China Studies at Harvard University and had an in-depth exchange of views on China-U.S. relations with experts and scholars at the center.

Ambassador Xie said that as President Xi pointed out, to stabilize and develop China-U.S. relations, the first thing is to jointly develop a right perception toward each other. It is hoped that experts and scholars at the center will leverage their traditional strengths and expertise to help American society view and understand China in a comprehensive and objective way.

First, it is important to take a down-to-earth approach to conduct first-hand research on China. Especially, one needs to have a comprehensive understanding of China’s history and culture, the character of the Chinese civilization, and the essence of key Chinese concepts. That enables one to know where China is from and where it is heading to. The Chinese people believe in the paramount importance of peace, value rule by virtue rather than force, and have a keen sense of history. All these have provided inspirations for navigating around the “Thucydides trap”.

Second, it is important to think independently, defy the reverse trend of McCarthyism and the so-called “political correctness”,  and actively lead American society to develop a right perception about China.   

Third, it is important to carry on the tradition and speak up for the China-U.S. relationship. The more difficult the time is, the more we need people like Prof. John Fairbank and Prof. Ezra Vogel to stand firm against the “chilling effect”, speak up for justice, and advocate the healthy development of China-U.S. relations and the friendship between our two peoples. 

Fourth, it is important to keep abreast of the times and explore a right way for China and the United States to get along in the new era. Scholars are encouraged to leverage their research strengths, step up research on concepts including a community with a shared future for mankind, and come up with new thinking free from conventional International Relationship theories. 

Scholars from the center actively shared their thoughts, and agreed that in order for China and the United States to establish a correct understanding of each other, they need to strengthen research from historical and cultural perspectives, integrate knowledge and practice, and continue to play a unique role in promoting mutual understanding and friendly exchanges between the two countries.