On January 20, 2017, the first volume of the book seriesShanghainese in America, compiled by the SIAS and the Shanghai Overseas Exchange Association, was officially launched at the Grand Hall of Jinjiang Hotel in Shanghai. 

As America’s 45th president Donald Trump is sworn into office, the new administration’s China policy might signal new trends. With the future of China-US relations under intense media spotlight, the two countries will, in about a month, celebrate the 45th anniversary of the release of theShanghai Communique. While the larger political landscape looks challenging, local and people-to-people exchanges appear to be particularly helpful in continuing a healthy bilateral relationship. 

As early as April 2013, President Xi had the foresight to call for deeper regional cooperation at the 2nd China-US Governors Forum. He placed great importance on sub-national cooperation, which he said would benefit long-term and overall relations between countries. In this regard, the newly-released book, which casts a local angle and celebrates China-US friendship, serves as an inspiring answer to how successful collaboration at the sub-national level can be achieved.

In celebration of the book launch, the SIAS held the conference “Shanghai-US Local Exchanges and China-US Relations”, together with several local organizations. Attendees included local officials and scholars from the field, as well as some of the overseas Chinese featured in the book. Discussions were focused on the role of Shanghai and its people in strengthening China-US exchanges, and how that constitutes an important part of studies about the city. 

Zhou Hanmin, a member of the Standing Committee of CPPCC and Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Committee of CPPCC, held a congratulatory speech and spoke highly of the contributions of the people profiled in the book to a better relationship between China and the US. 

Zhou said, “China-US relations form an important chapter in the history of our civilization. It is people, only people, that create world history. As long as both our people share the conviction that a peaceful bilateral relationship benefits both of our countries, the Asia-Pacific region, and the world at large, we will make our relation work and help it embark on a healthy journey.”

Xie Chao, Vice President of the Shanghai Federation of Social Science Associations, chaired the first of three sessions. He credited the book for its fresh vision on the important role individuals play in fostering international relations. By capturing the stories of those who are at the communication front line, the book sheds light on a wide variety of subjects of topical interest to both China and the US.

Xie added that this is a pioneering work on overseas Chinese. This book offers a new approach to China-US studies. It also gives insights into the positive impact these people have on our society by uncovering their success stories. Furthermore, this book responds to the call for mutual understanding at a time when China and the US should work on creating a collaborative relationship. 

Yang Jiemian, Director of the Academic Committee of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, highlighted in his speech the special role of Shanghai in strengthening China-US ties. 

The first communiqué in establishing the normalization of China-US relations was signed in Shanghai between the two governments, and the city has since witnessed many milestones of the development of bilateral relations. In addition, the people of Shanghai, who are generally known for being open-minded and inclusive, have also contributed to exchanges between the two countries by making an active presence in American society. 

Wang Yiqun, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Chronicles Office and Editor-In-Chief of the Shanghai Tan magazine, talked about the importance of Shanghai-US exchanges in the city’s modern history. He revealed the plans to publish a column on “Americans in Shanghai” and another on “Shanghainese in America” in their magazine. 

He Jianhua, Vice President of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, compared people-to-people exchanges to a bridge across the Pacific Ocean that brings China and the US together. As the two countries have become more and more intertwined in global affairs, it is especially important to follow the steps of our former leaders to build a healthy relationship between China and the US. 

Dao Shuming, Director of the Committee for Friendship with Foreign Countries at Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association, moderated the second session on “Inter-City and Cultural Exchanges and City Development and International Relations”.

Tao Guofeng, Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Overseas Exchange Association, elaborated on the role of overseas Chinese in promoting Shanghai-US exchanges. Tao concluded that Chinese people outside the country have played a leading part in advocating political trust, economic cooperation, scientific exchanges and many other areas between China and the rest of the world. 

Fred Teng, President of the America China Public Affairs Institute, cited his own experiences and introduced the efforts of Chinese Americans to engage more in political participation in the US. Teng reckoned that it would benefit China-US relations if they make their voice heard and expand their influence. While there is still a long way to go, Teng said it was a cause worth pursuing. 

Zhi-Ying James Fang, Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP (DWT), explained how US law firms have contributed to the economic and trade development of Shanghai. With Fang, DWT was the first American law firm to open a branch in the city. He believes that US law firms have brought in investment and good management. They have also contributed to the international status of Shanghai and the cultivation of high quality local legal practitioners. 

Yu Hongyuan, Director of the Institute for Public Policy at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, quoted latest statistics and spoke about the role of non-governmental exchanges in city diplomacy. 

Wang Jian, Deputy Director of the Institute of History at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS), moderated the third session “Shanghai-US Exchanges and China-US Relations”.

Xiong Yuezhi, a researcher at the SASS and President of the Shanghai History Association, held a speech on the features and influence of Shanghai’s American expats in modern history. 

Yang Zhanye, a member of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai People’s Political Consultative Conference, talked about cultural exchanges between Shanghai and the US in the past and their impact. 

Ye Songqing, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Architectural Society of Shanghai, gave a vivid account of the architectural exchanges between Shanghai and the US, highlighting his presentation with adequate image material. 

Zheng Hua, professor at the School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, exemplified how educational exchanges have helped to promote China-US relations. 

Xiao Huanyu, professor at the Shanghai University of Sport, shared his views on the characteristics and value of sports exchanges. He also presented his advice for future sports collaborations between China and the US. 

The date of the conference coincided with a cold front from the north waving over the city. Days before Chinese New Year, people conquered the freezing weather and joined in heated discussions. Many of those featured in the book came all the way from the US, showing a strong commitment to help promote China-US relations. 

The conference was organized by the Shanghai Federation of Social Science Associations, the Institute of History at the SASS, Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association, and the Shanghai Overseas Exchange Association. Sponsors included the SIAS, Wenhui Daily, Shanghai Tan magazine, and the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Press.