Wilson Center Inaugurates the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States

WASHINGTON—On July 29, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars will inaugurate the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States. The Kissinger Institute is dedicated to Dr. Henry A. Kissinger's legacy and vision of the importance of the U.S.-China bilateral relationship. It will promote greater awareness of the U.S.-China relationship and its impact on both countries and the world.

"The Kissinger Institute is one of the most ambitious initiatives the Center and its Board of Trustees have undertaken since its inception," said Joseph B. Gildenhorn, chairman of the Wilson Center's Board of Trustees. "Given the emergence of China as a global power, improving understanding between the United States and China is of great importance to the U.S. It is our goal that the Kissinger Institute contribute to a rich policy dialogue on the political, economic, historical and cultural factors that define the U.S.-China relationship."

The Kissinger Institute is dedicated to bringing to bear the power of ideas and scholarship on the world of public affairs to provide the entire policy community as well as policymakers with relevant insights into the many factors that underlie the respective behavior patterns and world views of China and the United States. Through extensive programming in both countries, the Institute will strengthen comprehension, communication, and cooperation between China and the United States.

This nonpartisan institute will be given guidance by an Advisory Board which will review the programs and finances of the Institute and will be comprised of corporate, public, non-profit, and academic members with an interest in China and U.S.-China relations. The U.S. co-chairman is former Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger, and its Chinese co-chairman is Xu Kuangdi, the former Mayor of Shanghai and President of the Chinese Engineering Academy and the China America Friendship Association. J. Stapleton Roy has agreed to serve as the first director of the Kissinger Institute. Ambassador Roy was appointed a career ambassador in 1996 after serving as a three-time ambassador in Singapore, the People's Republic of China, and Indonesia.

"I am deeply honored to be working with the Wilson Center on this important initiative," said Kissinger. "For nearly 40 years, since making the historic trips to China as President Nixon's national security adviser, I have been committed to Sino-American rapprochement. I'm honored this institute will bear my name and will work to further those ideals."

The Kissinger Institute will join the Center's other regional research institutes, including the Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studies and the Canada, Mexico, and Brazil Institutes. Financing for these institutes comes almost exclusively from private donations, endowment earnings and grants.

"I'm very excited to lead this new institute," said Ambassador Roy. "I plan to bring my years of diplomatic experience working in Asia to this Institute and to generate some exciting and informative programming."

Lee H. Hamilton is president and director of the Woodrow Wilson Center. He served as a member of Congress for 34 years and provided service as vice chairman of the independent 9/11 Commission. The Honorable Joseph B. Gildenhorn, previously served as U.S. ambassador to Switzerland (1983-1993).

Established by Congress in 1968, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is the living national memorial to President Wilson and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Center establishes and maintains a neutral forum for free, open and informed dialogue and discussion. It is a nonpartisan institution, supported by public and private funds and engaged in the study of national and world affairs.