China Conference 2003 Summary

On November 5-8, 2003, Texas A&M University, the George Bush School of Government and Public Service, the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation, and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries hosted an international conference focused on China-U.S. relations. The conference provided a unique opportunity for policymakers, scholars, and business leaders from China and the United States to exchange ideas and address issues of common interest.

The four-day conference was held at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center at the George Bush Presidential Library Center on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, Texas. The first two days provided an opportunity for participants to review and discuss ways to advance the diplomatic, security, and economic relations between the two countries. The last two days of the conference focused on building partnerships in science and technology and promoting research and educational exchange.

The Chinese delegation was led by the Former Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Qian Qichen. The delegation, comprised of high-level Chinese officials, included representatives such as Mr. Yang Jiechi, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States; General Xiong Guangkai, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army; Mr. Long Yongtu, Secretary-General of Boao Forum of Asia; as well as the Vice Ministers of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation and Science and Technology.

At the opening conference session, General Colin Powell, United States Secretary of State, Dr. Henry Kissinger, Former United States Secretary of State, and Former Vice Premier Qian Qichen delivered keynote addresses to an assembly of almost 3000 people. The plenary sessions that followed included topics such as China-U.S. Relations: Opportunities and Challenges; Global and Regional Security Issues; Economic Trends and Prospects; and Trade and Investment: Doing Business in and Between China and the United States. Over 400 scholars, business leaders, and interested citizens attended these sessions. On the second evening of the conference, Former President George Bush and Former Vice Premier Qian co-hosted a dinner for the delegates and participants. Ambassador Yang Jiechi, Former United States Secretary of State James Baker, and Mr. Long Yongtu also gave keynote addresses to large audiences during the conference.

In addition to the diplomatic delegation from China, several Chinese university presidents participated in the conference, along with almost 100 Chinese researchers. These researchers participated in discussions with researchers and scholars from Texas A&M and from all over the United States on collaborative research opportunities in various strategic areas. Specifically, the conference organized 13 research roundtable sessions on the following topics:

• Altered Landscapes and Environmental Responses to Transformations (ALERT)
• Food Safety: The Rural Imperative
• Higher Education During a Time of Transition
• Information Technology and Applications
• Integrating Science, Education, and IT in Cross-Cultural Settings
• New Venture Growth Strategies in China's High Technology Industries: Internal Growth vs. Alliances with Foreign Direct Investment
• Opportunities and Challenges in Doing Business and Trade in China-U.S.
• Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
• Reducing the WMD Threat on the Korean Peninsula and from Terrorism
• Research and Development on Energy Production
• SARS: Crisis and Opportunity of Global Public Health
• Scientific Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine to Address the Aging World
• Sustainable Community Planning, Design and Construction

Scholars and researchers on both sides are actively following up on the ideas generated during these sessions. A China-U.S. working group is under discussion to develop formal mechanisms for accelerating research and scholarly activities between China and the United States. A more detailed summary of the research roundtable sessions is attached to this report.

Juxtaposed to the conference was a unique exhibit at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Treasures of China. The exhibit aimed to broaden interest in China's ancient history and traditions with contemporary Chinese art and their ancient counterparts. President Bush's extensive collection of Chinese scroll art, both old and new, debuted during this exhibit. Additionally, Texas A&M hosted China Week during the week of the conference, which included a series of activities, lectures, performances, and exhibits aimed at bringing Chinese cultural awareness to the University’s faculty, staff, students, and the local community.

The support and advice from Former President Bush and Former National Security Advisor General Brent Scowcroft made this event not only possible but a success as well. The conference and related events were funded by generous sponsorships from FedEx, Motorola, Visa (Gold Sponsors) and the China National Petroleum Corporation and IBM (Bronze Sponsors). The Bush Library Foundation, ChevronTexaco, Motorola-Austin, the Kyle R. Younts International Forum, the Hong Kong Association of International Investment, and Kay and Britt Rice provided additional sponsorship for the conference.