40 People on 40 Years: China-US Diplomatic Dialogue, compiled by the Shanghai Institute of American Studies (SIAS), was recently published by NewWorld Press (NWP). The book launch, which was moderated by the NWP President Mr. Li Chunkai, was held at the China International Publishing Group (CIPG) on December 23, 2019. Both Vice President of the CIPG Mr. Lu Cairong and Executive President of SIAS Mr. Hu Hua addressed the conference, on behalf of the publisher and the author respectively.

Four interviewees featured in this book: Mr. Zhou Wenzhong, former Chinese ambassador to the US, Mr. He Weiwen, senior fellow from the Chongyang Institutefor Financial Studies at Renmin University of China (RDCY) and former economicand commercial counselor of the Chinese Consulate-General in San Francisco and New York, Mr. Da Wei, assistant to the president of the University of International Relations, and Associate Professor Diao Daming from the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China (RUC) and fellow from the National Academy of Development and Strategy at the RUC, delivered speeches on the publication of the book and current China-US relations.

This edition was the results of the project “40 People on 40 Years: An Interview Series Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of China-US Diplomatic Normalization”, which is a joint effort by SIAS, the Center for AmericanStudies at Fudan University and The Paper (a Chinese digital media outlet). The team interviewed 40 renowned experts from different political arenas and circles of academia (20 from each side) across seven cities in China and the US, in the hope to shed light on the diplomatic path to where we are today and to explore the future trends of bilateral relations. 

In the past 40 years since the rapprochement, China-US relations have evolved from tense standoffs to a complex mix of intensifying diplomacy. This has been driven by shared interests, underpinned by solid public support, and bound by the common responsibilities to the international community. 40 leading experts shared their views on the experiences and lessons in bilateral relations and charted the path forward. In order to enhance bilateral relations, both sides have to learn to accommodate each other, to increase communication, to enhance mutual trust, to deepen cooperation, to manage differences, and to pursue win-win strategies.