Student Report on US-China Relations Symposium

Report By Yaxuan Wang, Class of 2027 & Photos by Ruixiang Hu, class of 2027

On October 11, 2024, DKU’s AB1079 was buzzing with discussions as around 15 faculty, staff, and students gathered for the US-China Relations Symposium. This event brought together a diverse group of scholars and students eager to dive into one of the most critical global relationships of our time. From deep historical analyses to cutting-edge geopolitical debates, the day was packed with engaging sessions that left everyone reflecting on the complexities of Sino-American dynamics.

Opening and Morning Research Presentations

Prof. Erez Manela from Harvard University began the morning session with an exploration of how racial equality movements following WWII influenced global diplomacy, particularly in the context of US-China relations. His insights into the role of racial dynamics within international organizations sparked a lively conversation among attendees.

Shifting focus to China’s internal strategies, Prof. Peter E. Hamilton of Lingnan University examined the country’s adoption of scientific management post-1978. He highlighted how these management practices contributed to China’s economic rise and their continued influence on international relations today.

Offering a different angle, Prof. Ivan Willis Rasmussen from NYU Shanghai challenged the common narrative of a “New Cold War” between the US and China. His thought-provoking take invited the audience to reconsider whether this term accurately describes the current geopolitical situation.

As the only Chinese speaker here, Prof. Ariel Shangguan of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University delved into the epistemological differences between the two nations, exploring how contrasting approaches to knowledge shape policy-making. Her talk encouraged reflection on the deep-rooted cultural distinctions that impact global relations.

Turning the conversation towards the Middle East, Prof. Gürol Baba from the Social Sciences University of Ankarahighlighted China’s expanding influence in the region. He drew comparisons between China’s diplomatic efforts and the US’s traditional dominance, particularly focusing on China’s role in brokering Saudi-Iran relations.

Closing the session, Prof. Zach Fredman from Duke Kunshan University provided a historical perspective, focusing on US military rest and recreation during the Vietnam War. His analysis uncovered the often-overlooked effects of military policy on US-Asia relations, adding a unique historical layer to the day’s discussions.

Afternoon Discussions and Workshops

After lunch, the event moved into more interactive sessions. During the syllabus workshop, faculty discussed ways to improve how US-China relations are taught, with an emphasis on making the curriculum more interdisciplinary. There was a lot of excitement as professors shared ideas on how to bring fresh perspectives into the classroom. The following pedagogy session focused on connecting academic learning with real-world experiences. Professors shared examples of integrating current events, internships, and co-curricular activities into their teaching, sparking practical discussions on how to make learning more dynamic.

Wrap-Up and Reflections

By the end of the symposium, participants left with a sense of accomplishment and curiosity. The discussions had raised more questions than answers, highlighting the complexities of US-China relations. The event showcased the dedication of both faculty and students to understanding this vital relationship, making it a memorable and thought-provoking day.

Special thanks go to all the professors, students and the workers whose contributions made this symposium a success.

DKU US-China Relations Symposium

Date: October 11, 2024

Location: AB1079

About the Symposium:

The DKU US-China Relations Symposium aims to promote meaningful dialogue among faculty and students on the topic of Sino-American relations. Participants will have the opportunity to share research, review course syllabi, and brainstorm innovative ideas for both academic and co-curricular programs. The goal is to help students gain a dee per understanding of this pivotal bilateral relationship. This one-day event will feature an esteemed panel of interdisciplinary scholars from DKU, Harvard University, Lingnan University, and NYU-Shanghai, exploring the evolving dynamics of China-U.S. relations within a global context.

Symposium Schedule:

9:00 – 9:15 AM: Opening Remarks9:15 – 11:15 AM: Faculty Research Presentations11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Student-Faculty Discussion12:30 – 2:00 PM: Lunch2:00 – 3:30 PM: Syllabus Workshop3:45 – 5:15 PM: Pedagogy and Co-Curricular Programming Discussion

Speakers Bio

Professor Gurol Baba
Gürol Baba is a Professor at the Social Sciences University of Ankara;Faculty of Political Science, Department of International Relations. His research focuses on Middle Powers in International Politics, Asia-Pacific Regional Affairs and more. He published An Asymmetrical Transregionalism, in the Journal of Asian and African Studies, which he guest edited with his colleague Amit Ranhan. The issue features Baba and Ranjan’s introduction, as well as Baba’s research article Middle East–South Asia Relations: Transregional Minilateralism Cemented with Bilateralism. Baba, G. (2023). Journal of Asian and African Studies58(4), 500–517.

Professor Zach Fredman
Zach Fredman is an Associate Professor of History and Chair of the Division of Arts and Humanities at Duke Kunshan University. His research focuses on US-China relations. He is the author of The Tormented Alliance: American Servicemen and the Occupation of China, 1941-1949 (UNC Press, 2022) and co-editor of Uneasy Allies: Sino-American Relations at the Grassroots, 1937-1949 (Cambridge UP, 2024).

Professor Peter E. Hamilton (韓墨松)

Peter E. Hamilton (韓墨松) is the Assistant Professor in World History (Pacific World) at Lingnan University. He is the author of Made in Hong Kong: Transpacific Networks and a New History of Globalization (Studies of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University Press, 2021). It was recently translated into Chinese as 香港製造:跨太平洋網絡與全球化新史 (Monsoon Zone, 2024). His second book project is researching the history of scientific management across twentieth-century Chinese thought and society. Research from this project has recently been published in The Journal of Asian Studies, Business History, and multiple anthologies.

Professor Erez Manela

Erez Manela is the Francis Lee Higginson Professor of History at Harvard University, where he teaches international history and the history of the United States in the world. He is the author of the prize-winning book The Wilsonian Moment: Self-Determination and the International Origins of Anticolonial Nationalism (2007) and co-editor of four collaborative volumes, most recently The Anticolonial Transnational: Imaginaries, Mobilities, and Networks in the Struggle against Empire (2023). He also has a longstanding interest in the conceptual and methodological aspects of writing international history and is currently working on a collaborative volume titled Explaining International History.

Professor Ivan Willis Rasmussen

Professor Ivan Willis Rasmussen is the Undergraduate Coordinator of Social Sciences and an Associate Professor of Practice in Political Science at NYU Shanghai. He previously served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Hamilton College and a Research Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center. His research includes contributions to the Asian Journal of Public Affairs and Chinese Yearbook of International Law and Affairs, and he co-authored the book At the Dawn of Belt and Road: China in the Developing World (RAND Report).

Professor Rasmussen has taught at institutions such as Tufts University and Boston College and has worked with the US Department of State, Duke University/Gates Foundation, and the RAND Corporation. He is a member of several associations, including the American Political Science Association, and has received the Teaching Excellence Award from NYU Shanghai. Recently, he was named a Mansfield Luce Asia Scholar.

Join Us:
Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to engage with leading experts and enrich your understanding of US-China relations. Together, we can foster insightful discussions and innovative ideas that shape the future of this vital field. We look forward to seeing you there!