The American Foreign Policy Council continued its tradition of U.S.-China exchanges last fall with a week-long trip to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

The AFPC-sponsored group traveled to Beijing and Shanghai from November 11-17 and met with Chinese officials from the defense, foreign policy, energy and economic sectors. 

The seven-person delegation was led by:

• Dr. William Schneider, Chairman of the Defense Science Board and former Undersecretary of State;
• The Honorable R. James Woolsey, former Director of Central Intelligence;
• Mr. Herman Pirchner, Jr., President of AFPC.

 The group met with various Chinese officials, including:

• Minister Dai Bingguo, International Department of the CPC Central Committee;
• Mr. Xiong Guangkai, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army;
• Mr. Zhang Xhijun, Vice Minister of International Department of the CPC Central Committee; and
• Officials from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defenses.

The meetings provided both American and Chinese participants the opportunity to discuss pressing issues related to the war on terrorism, arms proliferation, China’s entry into the WTO, and the changing security environment in Asia.

In addition to an intense schedule of meetings, the group also enjoyed Chinese hospitality in Beijing and explored the Forbidden City.  In Shanghai, members of the delegation visited Pudong, Yu Garden, the Shanghai Stock Exchange Market and the site of APEC.