Professors from universities across the nation will discuss United States-China relations today through Saturday at the International Symposium on the Fourth Generation of Chinese Leadership.
Since the NATO bombing of a Chinese embassy in Kosovo in May 1999, relations have been tense between the United States and China, according to Yang Zhong, UT associate professor of political science. The conference, held at the downtown Hilton Knoxville hotel, will examine the improvements that have taken place since the bombings.
“Now people are concerned with Iraq, but China was in the forefront a few years ago after the embassy bombing,” Zhong said. “We will be exploring how those relationships have changed and examining the new Chinese leadership.”
Jinpao Hu, the newly installed president of China, will be one of the focuses of the conference. Zhong said Hu’s role is still in a transitional state and could have effects on China’s voting in the U.N. security council.
“China is a U.N. Security Council member and is a vetoing member,” Zhong said. “The U.S. needs Chinese support in the war against terrorism.”
A panel of professors from across the nation will discuss these issues from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. today, and 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the Sequoyah Room of the Hilton.
Another aspect of the conference will be guest speaker Jim Sasser, former U.S. ambassador to China during the bombing in Kosovo.
“He was there (in the U.S. embassy) burning documents in case they were overrun,” Zhong said. “He should offer some excellent insight.”
Zhong said a main issue involving relations is the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party. He said past leaders have tried very capitalist methods to reform the Chinese economy.
“Doing market-driven reforms (as the Chinese leaders have done) means privatization,” Zhong said. “China remains a communist dictatorship but has done everything on the contrary to reform their economy.”
Zhong said he hoped students will come and learn something from the different speakers’ experiences.
“China has one-fourth of the world’s population, so when something affects China, it affects the world,” Zhong said. ” Our panelist and Mr. Sasser will bring different perspectives that I hope students will take the time to benefit from.”
