Unique Role of Think Tank Exchange in Promoting the China-U.S. Relationship

Since the establishment of the China-U.S. diplomatic relationship, think tank exchange between both countries has undergone four phases, from very limited communication in the early years to a growing number of mutual visits, co-organized conferences and events, joint research projects, as well as representative offices or joint research/teaching programs set up in the past decade. China-U.S. think tank exchange plays a unique role in enhancing mutual understanding and mitigating distrust between both countries, thus contributing to bilateral strategic stability and closer cooperation. Under the Trump administration’s trade war and decoupling attempts toward China, however, bilateral think tank exchange has experienced a significant decline over the past few years, marked by increasing restrictions on each other’s visits, less willingness of some think tanks in such exchange, and more hardline policy stance on each other, especially from the American side. At this difficult time for China-U.S. relations, bilateral think tank exchange should be encouraged and strengthened so as to help bring the bilateral relationship back on track.