The 2016 US presidential election is likely to trigger some changes in America’s policy towards China that are not to be underestimated. With the future of bilateral relations at stake and under close scrutiny, the SIAS invited former Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, who is also Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the 11th National People's Congress and President of the China Public Diplomacy Association, to give a speech entitled “China-US Relations and My Diplomatic Career” on June 6, 2016.

Li shared stories and his diplomatic experience, especially from working as China’s ambassador to the US and Permanent Representative to the UN. He also analyzed the essence of China-US relations and how to deal with American people. Meanwhile, Li encouraged the audience to keep learning and improving – to “live and learn”. He expressed his hopes that the audience share a passion for the country, people and the party. It is his belief that people’s interests can be better proprected when their nation enjoys prosperity as well as respect in the internaitonal community. 

The SIAS jointly organized the seminar with the Shanghai Federation of Social Science Associations (SSSA), and the Research Center for Think Tanks, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS). Yan Shuang, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and Party Secretary of SSSA, moderated the meeting and made a welcoming speech. More than 200 people attended, including officials and representatives from the SSSA, the municipal Foreign Affairs Office, the SASS and Shanghai Interpreters’ Association.

Experts and scholars from Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University and East China University of Political Science and Law, also participated in the event. Li answered questions from the audience and shared his views on some hot topics. His sincere yet humorous presentation was very well-received.