EP-097 丁学良：中美交流的历史性赤字 | 丁学良 | 中国经济 | 中美关系 | 布林肯 | 留学生 | 川普 | 贸易战 | 特朗普 |

Summary

The Bumingbai Podcast, hosted by Yuan Li, discusses the historical and current state of Sino-US relations with guest Ding Xueliang, an emeritus professor from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. They explore the significant decline in exchanges between the two nations, including the drop in international students and the cooling of economic ties. The conversation delves into the impact of political tensions, the role of cultural and academic exchanges, and the potential future trajectory of Sino-US relations. The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding and fostering positive interactions between the two countries.

Takeaways

• 🇨🇳🇺🇸 The podcast discusses the historical context and current state of Sino-US relations, noting a significant downturn in recent years.
• 📚 The number of international students from the US to China has dropped sharply, with only 350 in 2022, rebounding to 700 by the end of 2023.
• 📉 Economic and trade relations between the US and China have cooled, with Mexico overtaking China as the largest source of imports for the US in 2023.
• 👎 According to Pew Research Center data, 81% of Americans hold a negative view of China, a stark increase from the 29% recorded in 2006.
• 🎬 Successful Chinese movies at the box office in recent years have been about the Korean War, reflecting ongoing tensions with the US.
• 👨‍🏫 The guest, Ding Xueliang, an emeritus professor with expertise in globalization and international competition, shares his insights on Sino-US exchanges.
• 🎓 Ding emphasizes the importance of funding social sciences for Chinese students in the US, given the significant gap in this field compared to science and technology.
• 🏛️ He recounts his experiences and observations from the 1980s, highlighting the dynamic exchanges between the US and China at that time.
• 🔍 The discussion points to the trade war initiated by the Trump administration in 2018 as a pivotal moment leading to a sharp decline in Sino-US relations.
• 🌐 The script mentions the challenges faced by students and scholars due to internet restrictions and the impact on their ability to engage in international学术交流.
• 📉 The transcript reflects a general sentiment of pessimism about the future of Sino-US exchanges and their implications for both nations.

Q & A

What significant event marked a historic deficit in Sino-US relations in 1949?

The publication of Mao Zedong's famous commentary 'Farewell, Leighton Stuart' marked a historic deficit in Sino-US relations in 1949.

When did Sino-US relations begin to thaw after the initial deficit?

Sino-US relations began to thaw with Nixon's visit to China in 1972.

What has been the trend of Sino-US relations over the past 50 years?

Over the past 50 years, Sino-US relations have experienced ups and downs, but economic, trade, academic, and cultural exchanges have not been interrupted.

How has the number of international students from the United States to China changed in recent years?

The number of international students from the United States to China dropped sharply, with only 350 in 2022, but rebounded to 700 by the end of 2023.

What was the impact of the trade war between the United States and China on Sino-US relations?

The trade war between the United States and China, which broke out in 2018, led to a sharp decline in Sino-US relations and significantly cooled economic and trade relations.

What was the percentage of Americans holding a negative view of China according to Pew Research Center data from May 1?

According to Pew Research Center data from May 1, 81% of Americans hold a negative view of China, with 43% holding a very negative view.

What is the significance of the T-shirt Ding Xueliang wore during the podcast?

The T-shirt Ding Xueliang wore was from the summer of 1988 when he was a PhD student at Harvard University, commemorating the tenth anniversary of China's reform and opening up, symbolizing a time of positive exchange between the United States and China.

What were the two main suggestions Ding Xueliang made during his discussion with the U.S. State Department regarding Chinese students in the U.S.?

Ding Xueliang suggested that the U.S. should fund social sciences for Chinese students, given the large gap in this field in China, and organize summer groups to show Chinese students the positive aspects of America, to leave a good impression of the U.S.

What was the peak period for Sino-US exchanges according to Ding Xueliang's observation?

According to Ding Xueliang's observation, the peak period for Sino-US exchanges was around 2008, 2009, and 2010, influenced significantly by the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

What is the current situation regarding the number of American students in China?

As of 2023, there are only 700 American students in China, a significant drop from the peak in 2018 when there were more than 11,000.

What are the implications of the decline in Sino-US exchanges for the future of both countries?

The decline in Sino-US exchanges could lead to a negative impression of each other among the younger generations, potentially impacting future relations and cooperation between the two countries.