From December 9-14, AFPC hosted a six person delegation of senior Chinese officials in Washington, DC. The delegation was led by Mr. Zhang Zhijun, Vice Minister of the CPC Central Committee’s International Department - a position roughly equivalent to an American Under Secretary of State.

During their time in the nation’s capital, the delegation held discussions on the future of Sino-American relations with a number of individuals expected to take positions in the Obama administration. The group also met with several prominent U.S. officials and statesmen, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Richard Myers, and U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission commissioner Patrick Mulloy. 

In addition to lively discussions exploring the possibility of expanded Chinese-American cooperation, frank discussions were also held on sensitive issues such as human rights, cyberwarfare and China’s military growth.