The Year in U.S.-China Relations 2016: "It's Not Dark Yet..."
2016 seemed to intensify many of the long-standing challenges facing the U.S.-China relationship: the South China Sea disputes reached a crescendo when the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague rejected China’s claims; North Korea defied the international community with its fourth and fifth nuclear tests; politics in Hong Kong and Taiwan entered new and uncertain phases; and it became clear, again, that the U.S. and China are involved in and ideological competition that underlies their strategic and economic disputes.
Overview
2016 seemed to intensify many of the long-standing challenges facing the U.S.-China relationship: the South China Sea disputes reached a crescendo when the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague rejected China’s claims; North Korea defied the international community with its fourth and fifth nuclear tests; politics in Hong Kong and Taiwan entered new and uncertain phases; and it became clear, again, that the U.S. and China are involved in and ideological competition that underlies their strategic and economic disputes. 2016 also saw rising American concerns over Chinese investments and a continued crackdown on western cultural influence by President Xi Jinping. Mistrust grew on all of these fronts, even as Beijing and Washington improve military-to-military communications and publicly found ways to cooperate on issues such as climate change and cyber theft. Finally, the election of Donald Trump and his potential appointments and statements heightened the sense of uncertainty on both sides of the Pacific.
This discussion at the Kissinger Institute was its 4th annual review of the state of U.S.-China relations and a look at what 2017 might portend for 美中关系.
Moderated by:
Sandy Pho, Senior Program Associate, Kissinger Institute on China and the United States
Speakers
Richard McGregor
Former Beijing and Washington Bureau Chief, Financial Times
![joanna lewis headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/media/uploads/images/lewisphoto.jpg)
Joanna Lewis
![Robert Daly image](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/media/uploads/images/Robert_Daly.png)
Robert Daly
Hosted By
Kissinger Institute on China and the United States
The Kissinger Institute works to ensure that China policy serves American long-term interests and is founded in understanding of historical and cultural factors in bilateral relations and in accurate assessment of the aspirations of China’s government and people. Read more
China Environment Forum
Since 1997, the China Environment Forum's mission has been to forge US-China cooperation on energy, environment, and sustainable development challenges. We play a unique nonpartisan role in creating multi-stakeholder dialogues around these issues. Read more
Thank you for your interest in this event. Please send any feedback or questions to our Events staff.