Ever since a balloon flew from China over the United States in February, concerns about surveillance have been at the forefront of U.S.-China relations. But the two countries have a long history of spying on each other. In this short explainer, John Delury contextualizes the current tensions and assesses just how worried Americans should be about Chinese espionage. If you missed it,  listen to our interview from January with John Delury, Gina Tam, and Jerome Cohen on John's new book, Agents of Subversion: The Fate of John T. Downey and the CIA's Covert War in China. About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/chinese-espionage/ Read the transcript of this conversation  Follow John Delury on Twitter: @JohnDelury Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

BONUS: How Concerned Should Americans Be About Chinese Espionage?

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The U.S.-China bilateral relationship is a competitive one, from economics to security, diplomacy to geopolitics, technology to the oceans and deep space. It is subject to varying degrees of tension, punctuated by intermittent cooperation and now, a resumption of selective dialogue. Each side views the other with suspicion and the policies of both are in keeping with a sense of alarm. Yet the two countries seem to agree that decoupling the two economies would be a grave mistake and that security, including technological preeminence, is essential to development, growth, leadership, and sovereignty. Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky spoke at the National Committee’s Annual Members Program on May 21, 2024, with NCUSCR Director Amy Celico. They discussed the foundations of the U.S.-China relationship, the policy focus and goals of each side, and opportunities for greater collaboration even in the face of political sensitivities and the de-risking driving economic and trade ties. About the speakers: ncuscr.org/video/charlene-barshefsky-members-program Follow Amy Celico on X: @AmyCelico

Balancing Economic Prosperity and National Security

 The military force of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), is the largest standing army in the world. However, the United States maintains the highest military expenditure in the world. How can Americans evaluate whether the U.S. or Chinese military is bigger?    In an interview conducted on April 15, 2024, Isaac Kardon discusses the comparative capabilities of the PLA and U.S. militaries, and how strategists evaluate the threat the PLA holds towards American territories.    U.S.-China Counterpoints explores common perspectives on the U.S.-China relationship held by those in both countries. Guided by leading experts, this series examines the facts behind common viewpoints, and the details that shape U.S.-China relations behind the headlines.  About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/pla-us-military Follow Isaac Kardon on X:  @IBKardon Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr). 

Is the U.S. or Chinese military bigger? | U.S.-China Counterpoints

 A full-out trade war erupted between the United States and China during the Trump administration, increasing tariffs on Chinese imports in dozens of sectors and leading to rising business competition and costs to consumers. How has this ongoing trade war impacted everyday U.S. and Chinese citizens? And how will the Biden administration handle the current tariffs placed on Chinese goods?    KU Trade War Lab Director Jack Zhang joined the National Committee to discuss the national and global consequences of the U.S.-China trade war on May 7, 2024.   About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/us-china-trade-war/ Follow Jack Zhang on X: @HanFeiTzu Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Is it possible to win the U.S.-China trade war?

 China was able to broker a historic global security agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, changing not only the Middle East’s regional dynamics, but also China’s position on the global diplomatic stage. China performs a balancing act between being a responsible stakeholder in world affairs, including the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars, and upholding its value of non-interference in other countries’ politics. Why is China positioning itself as a global peace broker and conflict mediator? What does this position say about China’s national trajectory and its relationship with the United States?    What’s are the advantages of China positioning itself as a global peace broker and conflict mediator? What does this position say about China’s national trajectory and its relationship with the United States? Preston Jordan Lim joined the National Committee on May 6, 2024 to discuss the diplomatic goals and national strategy of China’s engagement in global conflicts and resolutions.     About the speaker  Follow Preston Jordan Lim on X:  @PrestonJordanL1 Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

How is China promoting peace?

Official U.S. policy towards Taiwan focuses on developing robust non-state relations with the island while advocating for a peaceful resolution to the cross-strait conflict. When considering American policy towards Taiwan, is more U.S. support good for Taiwan and regional peace?  Sara Newland, Assistant Professor of Government at Smith College, discusses the need to pay attention to Taiwan’s own desires and needs in the context of the China-U.S.-Taiwan relationship in this latest installment of U.S.-China Counterpoints in an interview conducted on November 3, 2023. U.S.-China Counterpoints explores common perspectives on the U.S.-China relationship held by those in both countries. Guided by leading experts, this series examines the facts behind common viewpoints, and the details that shape U.S.-China relations behind the headlines.  About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/video/should-us-support-taiwan/ Follow Sara Newland on X: @NewlandSara Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

BONUS: How Concerned Should Americans Be About Chinese Espionage?

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