As part of an ongoing AFPC-People’s Republic of China (PRC) exchange, a nine person delegation headed by Mr. Wan Guoquan, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), visited Washington, Philadelphia, and New York, August 21-29, 1998.

The CPPCC provides a structure for intellectuals and professionals to submit their thoughts on many major decisions to be taken by the PRC government.  The CPPCC, whose experts submit papers on pertinent issues, operates both regionally and nationally and is similar to a gigantic lobbying body.

Not only were the meetings a forum for learning about each other’s political structures, but virtually all major U.S.-China issues were frankly discussed, including human rights, religious freedom, China’s WTO application, the Spratly Islands, Taiwan, and arms proliferation.

Over 100 American participated in the meetings, including:

• Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-SC), Senate President Pro Tempore
• Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA-7)
• former Under Secretary of State Richard McCormack;
• David Smith, Director fo the Dole campaign’s Defense group;
• Richard Grasso, Chair & CEO of the NY Stock Exchange; and
• nationally syndicated columnist Georgie Anne Geyer.

 Special AFPC thanks are due to Amb. Fredrick Bush for his role in organizing the delegation’s trip.