Spring 2008 Programs at ACEE

Kissinger Senior Fellow Walter Russell Mead Addresses Beijing Institutions

Walter Russell Mead addresses students at CFAU

Walter Russell Mead, the Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy at the Council of Foreign Relations, met with senior colleagues at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Chinese Institute for Contemporary International Relations, and with students at Renmin University, China Foreign Affairs University, and Beijing Foreign Studies University, for discussions on U.S. Foreign Policy. Mead put U.S. policy in the historical context of first the Dutch and then the British strategies of maritime commerce, which encouraged open society and creative thinking to engage the rest of the world through maritime commerce. At the core of the historian and author’s message was the critical importance of developing an enlightened, innovative and creative citizenry in order to accumulate wealth, global trading partners and ultimately influence. Mr. Mead emphasized that the West has succeeded economically and geopolitically by encouraging the strong emergence of new trading partners, most notably China and India. Mead also went on to describe the major domestic forces that influence the bilateral relationship including the desire to assist China in the development of an enlightened, innovative and creative citizenry. 

Keynote speech at China-U.S. Student Leaders Dialogue

Mr. Mead ended his Beijing speaking tour by delivering the keynote address to the China-U.S. Student Leaders Dialogue at Peking University. Using elements from his previous presentations, Mead’s speech put U.S.-China Relations into the context of globalization and reiterated that from the U.S. point of view, China’s rise will not only strengthen the global system but will also positively impact its own domestic policies as well.

Editor in Chief of the Washington Quarterly speaks in Beijing

On May 27 and 28, 2008 the Editor in Chief of the Washington Quarterly and Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) Fellow Alexander Lennon participated in the Embassy volunteer speaker program.  Dr. Lennon met with a group of graduate students from the Peking University school of International Studies on May 27 and on the following day met with leading American research scholars at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.  In both events Dr. Lennon provided current perspectives on the U.S. elections and consequences of an Obama or McCain administration on future U.S.–China relations.  Scholars were in general agreement that, pre-election political campaign rhetoric aside, either a Democratic and a Republican administration would continue to support growing trade and political relations with Beijing.

Award winning American Poet Participates in U.S. Speaker Program

On May 23, one of America’s leading contemporary poets, David Lehman, completed a lecture tour through China under the State Department U.S. Speaker program.  Dr. Lehman, who is the founder and series editor of the Best American Poetry and general editor of the University of Michigan Press's Poets on Poetry Series, spent over a week in China meeting with university students, poets and literary professors.  The Shenyang Consulate oversaw programs in Dalian while Beijing PAS organized a series of university lectures and poetry readings in Jinan and Beijing where he met with students and poets on the campuses of Tsinghua and Peking University.  The programs went over exceptionally well with the Vice President of the American Literature program of Tsinghua University calling Dr. Lehman the most famous contemporary poet he had ever met.  At each of his events, Dr. Lehman expressed his condolences to China and victims of the recent earthquakes in Sichuan Province, reminding his audiences that poetry can play an especially important role in restoring the spirit of a people after such tragedies. 

Jefferson Science Fellow Addresses University Students and Faculty

Dr. Peterson discusses environmental education at Capital Normal

On May 23, Jefferson Science Fellow and University of Colorado professor Dr. Jerry Peterson spoke to groups of graduate students and faculty at both the Beijing University of Science and Technology and Capital Normal University about “Energy and Environmental Education in the U.S.” Using his university as a model, he explained the importance of private and government partnerships in advancing research goals and securing funding for advanced study. As a leading expert on energy issues, Dr. Peterson also answered audience questions about U.S. and international energy use and its environmental impact.

Embassy Speaker Fires Up Election Crowd at ACEE

Embassy Officer explains the U.S. Election process to students

On May 21, a Political Officer spoke to students from schools throughout Beijing at the ACEE on the topic of the 2008 U.S. Presidential Elections.  His presentation included up-to-the-minute updates on the current Democratic primary race and in-depth discussion of the primary and general election processes, using his home district in Texas as a case study. The discussion also included the importance of campaign financing in influencing campaigns and how this affects the democratic process. A Q&A session following the presentation raised other issues including the role of media and the potential for internet-based voting.

Audience Regaled with Stories of Old Beijing

Ambassador Nicholas Platt entertained a crowd of students, researchers, and officials with his personal home video of Beijing in the early 1970s.  In 1972 he accompanied President Nixon on the historic trip to Beijing that signaled the resumption of relations between the United States and China, and he was one of the first members of the U.S. Liaison Office in Beijing when the United States established a mission here in 1973. Along with his personal commentary, the video combined footage of historical events such as Zhou Enlai greeting President Nixon on the tarmac, candid shots of Beijingers, and personal scenes of his family’s adventures as Americans in China. Ambassador Platt and his wife answered many questions from the audience about life in Beijing in the 1970s, rounding out a wonderful evening.

Fulbright Law Professor Interacts with Chinese Law Students and Faculty Members in Hunan and Hubei

As part of his visit to the Wuhan Consular District, Deputy Senior Staff Attorney of U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit and 2008 Fulbright Law Professor Alan Lepp gave three lectures to large crowds of undergraduate and graduate law school students and faculty members at South Central University Law School, Xiangtan University Law School and Wuhan University Law School to discuss key issues of US Criminal Procedure and address many other judicial issues. Students and faculty members of the three prominent law schools in China recognized the unique opportunity presented and took turns to ask questions and present their perspectives.  At Zhongnan University, students were intrigued with legal cases regarding homosexual issues and sought advice on legal training in the U.S.  At Xiangtan University Law School, nearly 100 faculty members and students competed to raise a wide range of sophisticated legal questions regarding the Bill of Rights, rules of collecting evidence, the rights of a witness, jury selection process, legal costs, and the impact of public opinion on sentencing.  At Wuhan University Law School, students and faculty members engaged Professor Lepp in discussing such issues as plea bargaining, the social responsibilities of legal specialists, the roles of judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers, and the definition of a “good” lawyer.

Embassy Speaker Talks Politics at Renmin University

The U.S. Election Process is explained to students at Renmin U.

On May 14, an Economics Officer delivered a presentation on “The U.S. Elections” to a group of students at Renmin University’s School of International Studies.  The officer’s remarks explained the U.S. election process and history, and updated students on the current race. Q&A with the students lasted nearly 90 minutes, and covered a wide range of election topics including the Electoral College, special interest groups, potential changes to foreign policy with a change in administration, and American opinion on the potential for having our first black or female president.

Everyone is a Winner at Movie Night

Students enjoy American movies at the ACEE

On May 8, an Embassy Officer presented the movie “Little Miss Sunshine” to a group of 70 university students at the ACEE as part of Beijing’s American Movie Night series. After enjoying pizza and refreshments, the students watched the dramatic comedy which portrays the American ideal of success within the context of an unsuccessful family. The officer’s remarks and the students’ questions and comments after the film focused on contrasts between “winners” and “losers” and differences in these perceptions between Chinese and American culture.

U.S. Speaker Draws Conclusions about Political Satire

Students at Communications U. learn political satire

On May 5, political cartoonist Daryl Cagle spoke to students at the Communications University of China Graduate School on the topic of “Political Cartoons in the U.S.”  His vivid slide show highlighted the works of many different artists, including his own, and covered a full range of cartoon approaches and messages.  While showing how different news topics were treated in political cartoons, he offered insights into the importance of satire in American political discourse. Some students in the audience are budding political cartoonists themselves and asked many relevant questions about Mr. Cagle’s experience in the industry. After seeing nearly two hours of images mocking past and present U.S. political leaders, one student asked whether these were really ever printed in American newspapers, as recently a Chinese artist and editor were both fired for publishing a cartoon mocking Hu Jintao.  Mr. Cagle’s presentation underscored the importance of creativity and free speech in a democratic society, a message that found a receptive audience at this university.

For more on political cartoons, including daily updates of recent cartoons in the U.S., check out www.politicalcartoons.com

Ripken Baseball Returns to China

Cal Ripken Baseball returns to China with a week of workshops in Wuxi

WUXI, China:  Six months after their first visit to China, Cal Ripken Baseball is back and on May 5th wrapped up an intensive seven day program of coaching and youth clinics at the Wuxi professional baseball stadium in Wuxi, China.  Like the program of six months ago, which was headed by American Public Diplomacy Envoy and Baseball Hall of Famer, Cal Ripken Jr., this baseball diplomacy effort is sponsored by the Sports United Program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with close collaboration of Cal Ripken Baseball.  Over the last week more than 30 coaches and 25 young players from across China received specially designed clinics and expert instruction from a team of four Cal Ripken Baseball coaches, including 11-year MLB veteran player Billy Ripken, and the MLB director of baseball development in Asia, Rick Dell.  The week included 12 clinics, typically split between coaches and players, focusing on a full range of baseball fundamentals. And most importantly, the week embodied the Cal Ripken Baseball philosophy of combining learning with "making it fun." 

Billy Ripken leads a practice session in Wuxi for young baseball players

Four of the most talented junior player participants, from a school for orphans and disadvantaged youth in Beijing, were flown down to Wuxi with their coach and school director, Li Wei.  Previously, Mr. Li visited the Cal Ripken Baseball Academy in Aberdeen, Maryland on a coach exchange organized last year.  On the last day of clinics, Mr. Li said, "I am so glad to see baseball developing into more of a game in China.  Thanks to this program, these kids are getting an opportunity no one could have possibly dreamed about when I was young." Appreciation for the Ripken instructors and program was widespread among all the Chinese coach participants, one adding, "We can't thank Ripken Baseball and America enough for what they are doing for baseball in China.  We are learning a lot."  From the smiles on the players it was easy to read their impression of the week. The boys scrambled to thank the American coaches at the end of each day to express their gratitude. A number of them explained that often times their baseball practices before were dull but this week they learned to get more out of each practice and to have fun. One boy spoke for the group at the end of the last clinic, "This week went by way too fast. I love these coaches and hope they'll come back to China soon."
      

Adoring University Students Flock to Hear Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
May 2007, at Peking University and China University of Political Science and Law

U.S. Supreme Court Justice (ret.) Sandra Day O'Connor, the first female Justice, addresses students on "Women in the Law"

On two separate visits to Peking University and China University of Political Science students crowded into a conference room standing in the isles in the door wells and even sitting on the floor around the podium to hear Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (ret.) speak on “Women in the Law.”  She specifically addressed the growing influence of women in the legal sphere using her own life and career and a prime example.  She retraced her early years on a ranch in Arizona through her decision to study law and then the difficulties she faced in finding employment as a lawyer.  “The cult of domesticity” dictated that women were not well suited for the adversarial role of the legal realm which required logic and shrewd negotiations.  When one law firm finally agreed to interview her, the partner told her, “I don’t see a day when we will ever hire a woman lawyer, our clients wouldn’t approve.  Do you type?”  She finally persuaded a county attorney to hire her for free, an arrangement which eventually turned into a paid position.  She ended by stating, “How we treat women, affects the lives of all citizens of our nation.”

Following her lecture, students clamored to ask questions about her life, her career and retirement.  With every question, she took the opportunity to teach the students about American values and government.  When one student asked if her retirement would affect the law, she responded that precedence is far more stable than a personality driven system.  From the waves of the adoring crowd, it was clear that even outside of the U.S., Justice Sandra Day O’Connor is a role model for youth.

To receive invitations to our public events, to request programs at your school, or for more information about any of our activities please email us at ACEEBeijing@gmail.com