A Conversation with Ambassador Qin Gang: Charting a New Course in U.S.-China Relations

This event has passed. You can read the summary by Rob La Terza below. It does not reflect the views of the author, nor those of The Carter Center or the Bush Foundation.

On September 22, 2021 the George HW Bush China Foundation and the Carter Center jointly hosted a webinar with Qin Gang, the People’s Republic of China’s 11th ambassador to the United States since the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1979.

After opening remarks by Carter Center Vice President for Peace Programs Barbara Smith and Bush Foundation founder and chair Neil Bush, Ambassador Qin addressed the attendees. Ambassador Qin then answered questions from a distinguished panel of experts. We thank Ambassador Qin for graciously participating and sharing his thoughts.

After politely thanking The Carter Center and the Bush Foundation for hosting the event and acknowledging Presidents Carter and Bush’s respective accomplishments in establishing and furthering U.S.-China relations, Ambassador Qin began his address by inviting the audience to examine the meaning of “democracy”. Qin highlighted President Abraham Lincoln’s definition of democracy as government “of the people, by the people and for the people” and opined that the essential questions of a democracy are whether the people have the right to govern, whether their needs are met, and whether the government allows them to be happy. According to Qin, China answers all three questions affirmatively and puts its people first, making it a democracy.

Ambassador Qin asserted that the Communist Party of China (CPC) was created to serve the people and allow them to govern, and continues that mission today. As an example of the people’s control of their governance, the ambassador noted that China’s politicians are directly elected at the local level and indirectly elected at higher levels. He also pointed out that members of China’s People’s Congress stay closely in touch with those they represent via various means, including field visits, to satisfy their wants and needs with effective policy. Qin named the Chinese Civil Code and the fourteenth Five-Year Plan as examples of policy created through public consultation.

Qin also professed that CPC officials follow the spirit of Plato’s philosophy for government officials, namely that those who would rule others must be highly educated, pass rigorous tests, and live in poverty to develop experience and understanding. Though CPC officials do not follow Plato’s rules exactly, they start at a low level, are required to participate in training throughout their careers,  and must pass frequent CPC examinations. They are also subject to strict CPC rules and their corresponding harsh punishments for violations. Rule violators can be reported by their subordinates, ensuring that they cannot be promoted. According to Qin, President Xi is a shining example of the fruits of the CPC’s philosophy for government officials. Qin argued that as a onetime peasant with decades of experience in local government, Xi knows the population’s needs and has earned their trust and affection. He then asserted that the CPC’s efforts to shape Chinese governance have created a government loved by its people, as demonstrated by Chinese officials’ frequently overwhelming or even unanimous electoral victories.

Ambassador Qin concluded his discussion of China as a democracy by citing Samuel Huntington’s view that a government must be judged by its degree, not its form, and stating that democracies must deliver results. He then touted China’s accomplishments, such as ending “absolute poverty”, becoming the world’s second-largest economy, contributing 30% to global growth, becoming the world’s largest target of foreign investment, and beating COVID-19 at home. Qin also noted that almost all Chinese citizens have health insurance, access to public transit, are able to retire at the end of their careers, and are embracing green technology. Qin then asserted that China’s constitution fully protects its citizens’ rights and freedoms, noting that China has signed 16 UN human rights declarations and claiming that Muslims in Xinjiang and elsewhere can freely attend mosque.

Ambassador Qin concluded his remarks by arguing that China is a responsible international stakeholder, committed to “building a shared future for mankind” through measures such as exporting COVID vaccines, developing infrastructure and reducing poverty abroad via the Belt and Road Initiative, and supporting UN peacekeeping initiatives by deploying 2,400 Chinese peacekeepers around the world. Qin assured attendees that China will continue addressing its problems by “modernizing socialist democracy”. Most importantly for the bilateral relationship, the ambassador stated that leaders in both Beijing and Washington desire peace. Qin advised observers to judge both the U.S. and China by their actions rather than their words. In order to preserve the peace, Qin urged both sides to abandon the zero-sum Cold War mentality in favor of mutual accommodation.

After concluding his prepared remarks, Qin answered questions from several experts. The first question came from former U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton, who noted that although U.S. President Biden and Chinese President Xi’s speeches to the UN General Assembly named many shared priorities, the tone of each speech held an “undercurrent of accusation” reflecting  the frosty bilateral relationship. Thornton also stated that criticism comes from each country’s respective media establishments and expressed concern over the recent pattern of “posturing, division, and exclusion” from each side, though she applauded recent attempts by officials from both countries to tone down their rhetoric. Thornton asked Ambassador Qin how each country can handle criticism from abroad and how the escalation of that criticism can be stopped.

In response, Ambassador Qin stated that mutual respect is important and said that China accepts “objective and constructive criticism”. However, he warned that China will not accept “slander, disinformation, or condescending lectures” or allow external powers to define China’s territory. Qin also chided countries which China sees as having committed these offenses, stating that just as citizens obey laws, countries must obey international norms.

The next question came from former U.S. ambassador Charles Shapiro, president of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta. Shapiro asked Ambassador Qin how China would respond to the recent AUKUS agreement to share nuclear submarine technology with Australia.

Ambassador Qin replied that China has shared its concerns through recent remarks by its Foreign Minister. Qin also stated China’s objections to the deal, arguing that the deal will spark an arms race and escalate tensions in the region, that it disregards international norms and standards regarding nuclear nonproliferation, and that countries in the Asia-Pacific region should make security decisions without interference from “Anglo-Saxons”.

The next expert was Penny Naas of UPS, who asked what the future held for international supply chains and regional economic collaboration. Ambassador Qin assured attendees that China is committed to remaining a reliable link in the global supply chain by maintaining stable growth and opening up its economy at a high level. Qin also reiterated China’s desire to increase trade, investment, and prosperity, citing China’s membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and its recent application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as examples of China’s commitment to act as a responsible stakeholder in the global economy.

The fourth question came from Dr. Denis Simon of Duke University. Simon, a holder of the China National Friendship Award, pointed out that the world has drastically changed since the U.S. and China normalized relations in 1979. Simon asked Ambassador Qin how the U.S. and China can reset and redefine the bilateral relationship for 2021 to build trust, cooperation, and mutual benefit. Before answering this question, Ambassador Qin accepted another query from Dr. Joseph Fewsmith of Boston University, who noted that the lack of trust in the China-U.S. relationship is a serious issue and asked how China can work to improve U.S. trust in it. Fewsmith proposed that China could take a productive first step towards building trust by allowing American journalists to return to China after having been expelled last year.

Ambassador Qin agreed that mutual trust is a key issue. Qin highlighted the harm done to mutual trust through the Trump administration’s crackdown on U.S.-China educational and cultural exchange initiatives such as study abroad programs, Confucius Institutes in the U.S., and scientific and technological collaboration. The ambassador stated that these exchanges must be reinstituted and that he hopes the Biden administration agrees. Though he praised the Biden administration for granting many young Chinese students visas to attend college in the U.S., Qin also registered his disappointment that the administration denied many other Chinese students’ visa applications and expressed his hope that a greater proportion of students from future classes will have their visas approved. In turn, Qin stated that China would gladly welcome American college students.

In addition to education and cultural exchange, Ambassador Qin named climate change as an essential area for U.S.-China cooperation, stating that China would welcome collaboration with U.S. scientists. Qin related President Xi’s view that the U.S. and China must move forward by addressing “core concerns” together. However, Ambassador Qin shared his worry that the U.S. views the relationship as an increasingly confrontational competition and his concern that the U.S.’s stance undermines China’s efforts to reduce tensions, endangering global stability for all.

The next expert panelist was Maggie Mers, a member of the Atlanta chapter of the National Association of Chinese Americans (NACA) board of directors. Mers continued the thread of reestablishing U.S.-China connections by asking Ambassador Qin if there would be any possibility of expediting emergency visas for vaccinated individuals in the U.S. to visit relatives in China. Additionally, Mers asked if Beijing would allow the U.S. to reopen its consulates in China and if China would consider opening a consulate in Atlanta.

Ambassador Qin stated that unfortunately, emergency visa applications will likely continue to proceed slowly due to pandemic-related delays and the absence of the Chinese consulate in Houston to relieve some of the burden on the Chinese embassy. On the matter of reopening consulates, Qin stated that the U.S. began the tit-for-tat by ordering the closure of the Houston consulate in 2020. In the ambassador’s opinion, this closure damaged relations and constituted a violation of international laws and norms. Consequently, China will not allow U.S. consulates to reopen until the U.S. gives its permission for China’s Houston consulate to reopen.

Eric Yang, president of the Harvard College China Forum, reflected on the unfortunately  growing mutual skepticism and dearth of productive online dialogue between American and Chinese citizens. Yang noted that Chinese citizens tend to express their pride in China’s progress and the successes of China’s model of government online, while American web users often post skeptical takes on China’s rise and share their fears of its possible consequences. Given the current negative climate of U.S.-China relations, Yang asked Ambassador Qin how he intends to navigate present and future problems.

Ambassador Qin’s response was hopeful, but measured. Qin said he looked forward to a turning point in U.S.-China relations and that President Xi emphasized common challenges, the need for collaboration, and the need for mutual respect based around dialogue and engagement in his recent phone call with President Biden. However, Qin raised several potential problems. The ambassador stated that both sides must keep their word on climate change, referencing former President Donald Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement. Additionally, Qin stated that both sides must support multilateralism and the UN, and argued that the recent AUKUS agreement called the U.S.’ commitment to the rule-based international order into question. Qin also suggested that the U.S. join China in its global cybersecurity initiative to help both countries maximize the benefits and minimize risks associated with the Internet and technology.

The final question addressed to Ambassador Qin was submitted by an anonymous attendee, who asked what China can do to unilaterally de-escalate tensions and reduce the chance of conflict with the United States. Ambassador Qin replied that China is sincere in its desire to maintain communications and de-escalate tensions with the U.S., and will continue to work with the U.S. as long as cooperation and collaboration are possible. Qin provided the caveat that U.S.-China cooperation must “be conducted with mutual respect”, elaborating that the U.S. cannot ask for China’s help “while undermining China’s core interests”, namely territory and sovereignty.

After the last question, Morgan Jones of the World School in New York offered remarks on the importance of language learning. Jones expressed that learning each other’s language is key to mutual understanding and a prerequisite for improving relations.

David Firestein, the president and CEO of the Bush China Foundation, delivered closing remarks thanking Ambassador Qin for his participation and his “thoughtful, articulate responses”. After thanking The Carter Center and sponsors of the event, Firestein stated that although the relationship is under immense strain and the U.S. and China have many “irreconcilable” differences in perspective, collaboration is necessary. Firestein noted that both sides are responsible for the present tense relations, acknowledging the Trump administration’s “gratuitous” damage to the relationship and pointing out that China has not yet opened itself to the U.S. to the extent the U.S. opened to China. However, Firestein pointed out several areas where near-term progress is possible, such as lifting tariffs, reopening consulates, and re-establishing educational and technological collaboration. He concluded his remarks by applauding the U.S.’ shift away from the deliberately and egregiously provocative policies and rhetoric employed during the Trump administration. 

Though the webinar illustrated that as David Firestein said, the U.S. and China have many seemingly irreconcilably different perspectives, Ambassador Qin’s words provide reason to hope that cooperation in some areas and an improvement in relations are possible. Again, we thank Ambassador Qin for participating and sharing his thoughts.