Science & Technology

Dr. Ashley Esarey, An Wang Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University, and Dr. Yang Guobin, associate professor in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures at Barnard College, Columbia University, speak about the internet and Chinese society and the Green Dam software controversy on June 11, 2009 in New York. Each discuss ongoing changes in internet restrictions and the predicted ramifications of increased government control. Their commentary is followed by a panel discussion moderated by National Committee President Stephen Orlins and audience Q&A.

China and the Internet: Ashley Esarey & Yang Guobin

Jeremy Goldkorn, founder of Danwei research firm and co-host of the Sinica podcast discusses developments in China's internet and social media culture, the founding of Danwei and his long-time interest in China in an interview with National Committee Program Officer Maura Cunningham on December 14, 2015 in New York City.

The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations is the leading nonprofit nonpartisan organization that encourages understanding of China and the United States among citizens of both countries.

China, Internet and Social Media: Jeremy Goldkorn of Sinica

For nearly 200 years, China has looked to the west as the source of the most modern and cutting-edge technologies. From the Self-Strengthening Movement in the 19th century to the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) and Made in China 2025, Chinese leaders have consistently sought to foster homegrown technologies and scientific discovery that can compete on a global stage. In 2015, Dr. Tu Youyou became China’s first Nobel Laureate in science after her breakthrough in malaria treatments that has saved millions of lives. Yet China still has numerous technological challenges; from the lackluster performance of its chipmakers to protecting air quality. How has China’s uneven emergence as a technological player shaped the Sino-American relationship? Nancy Liu and Lawrence Sullivan, the authors of the Historical Dictionary of Science and Technology in Modern China, addressed this question in a discussion with National Committee President Stephen Orlins on November 8, 2017, in New York. 

Nancy Liu is the recipient of a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular pharmacology from Stony Brook State University. She is a cancer research scientist on the faculty of the College of Staten Island in the Department of Biology and the medical technology program. She previously worked at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the Zuckerman Research Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering. With a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Michigan where he studied with Professors Richard Solomon, Michel Oksenberg, and Harriet Mills, Lawrence R. Sullivan is an emeritus professor, Adelphi University. He also taught at Wellesley College, Brown University, Miami University, Ohio, and the University of Michigan. 

The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (www.ncuscr.org) is the leading nonprofit nonpartisan organization that encourages understanding of China and the United States among citizens of both countries.

U.S.-China Science and Technology: Nancy Liu and Lawrence Sullivan

In recent years, China has devoted massive resources to advancing its capacity for technological innovation. The resulting deluge of R&D activities has brought Chinese companies significant commercial success. However, the massive resources China has mobilized are not yet efficiently translating into successful outputs, resulting in a “low metabolism” of inputs into technology innovation. Scott Kennedy, deputy director of China studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), has published a comparative analysis of China’s innovation push that uses quantitative measures to evaluate its effectiveness. On October 6, 2017, he discussed his findings with National Committee President Stephen Orlins in New York City.

Scott Kennedy: China's Innovation Drive

Scott Kennedy: China’s Innovation Drive

In the 1990s, as the dotcom era began to unfold, artificial intelligence (AI) expert and developer&nbsp;Kai-Fu Lee&nbsp;was busy at Apple streamlining many of the company’s early R&amp;D projects. Those initial days, or the era of development, as Dr. Lee has since come describe it, were dominated by American technological innovation. Corporations like Apple and Microsoft paved the way for Silicon Valley companies to become global leaders. However, as Dr. Lee details in a new book,&nbsp;AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order, we have moved to the era of AI implementation, and Silicon Valley is no longer the center of gravity it once was. While American tech giants remain formidable players, the most prominent companies in areas of speech synthesis, computer vision, and machine translation are all Chinese. Moreover, Chinese consumers are significantly more comfortable than their American counterparts in embracing the growing role of AI in their daily lives. For instance, unlike in the United States, the overwhelming majority of Chinese transactions now occur on platforms such as Weibo, allowing companies to gather data at an unprecedented rate. With the increasing industrial application of AI, the potential for huge numbers of American and Chinese jobs to be replaced by technology has enormous economic and political implications. On October 2,&nbsp;Dr. Kai-Fu Lee&nbsp;shared his views on the&nbsp;future of AI in both countries, as well as possible risks with the National Committee. &nbsp; Dr. Kai-Fu Lee&nbsp;is the chairman and CEO of Sinovation Ventures and president of Sinovation Venture’s Artificial Intelligence Institute. Sinovation Ventures, is a leading technology investment firm focusing on developing the next generation of Chinese high-tech companies. Prior to founding Sinovation in 2009, Dr. Lee was the president of Google China. Previously, he held executive positions at Microsoft, SGI, and Apple. Dr. Lee received his bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University both in computer science, as well as honorary doctorate degrees from both Carnegie Mellon and the City University of Hong Kong. He is also a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Kai-Fu Lee: AI Superpowers

This episode explores China’s new-energy vehicle (NEV) market and draws from the November 2018 CSIS report entitled China’s Risky Drive into New-Energy Vehicles. We are joined by the author of the report, Dr. Scott Kennedy, who examines the strategic and economic motivations behind Beijing’s prioritization of NEVs. Dr. Kennedy discusses the positive results of China becoming the world’s largest NEV market, as well as issues the industry faces in China, such as overcapacity, environmental ramifications, and the challenges posed by international competitors. He also offers his assessment of how the industry will evolve and China’s role moving forward.

Dr. Scott Kennedy is senior adviser of the Freeman Chair in China Studies and director of Project on Chinese Business and Political Economy at CSIS. Prior to joining CSIS, he was a professor at Indiana University (IU) for over 14 years. His work focuses on China’s economic policy and its global economic relations, including industrial policy, technology innovation, and US-China commercial relations.

China’s Emerging New-Energy Vehicle Industry: A Conversation with Scott Kennedy

I was recently invited to The Carter Center's commemoration of the 40th anniversary of U.S.-China relations in Atlanta, where I met Professor David Lampton - a foremost thinker on the two countries. In this podcast, he describes his early adventures as a student in the 1960s, the way he centers his work through people and their voices, and how he has built a career around two fascinating countries and the world they shape.

How to become a player in global affairs

My remix of "Empathy" by my brothers, @TheBrazenYouth

Check out The Brazen Youth on Spotify ~ https://open.spotify.com/artist/7tnIA4ww5dwoyENYz4GM5T?si=AlRoTpFMQ6ePGx2SXkE6iQ

Additional bass guitar performed by Stirling Rutty
Cover art by indojo ~ https://www.deviantart.com/indojo


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Empathy (Remix)

Speaker: Scott Kennedy, Senior Adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

An American policy to economically decouple from China is a radical idea, and if adopted, would cause substantial damage to American interests. Policies based on “managed interdependence” would be more effective in protecting the economy, national security, values, and public health of the United States.

Scott Kennedy is senior adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). A leading authority on Chinese economic policy, his specific areas of expertise include industrial policy, technology innovation, business lobbying, U.S.-China commercial relations, and global governance.  He is currently writing a book tentatively titled, The Power of Innovation:The Strategic Importance of China’s High-Tech Drive.

This event was recorded over Zoom.

Decoupling from China: A Radical and Dangerous Idea, with Scott Kennedy

Online Education During the Pandemic

The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations is the leading American nonprofit, nonpartisan organization devoted to promoting constructive engagement between the United States and Greater China.

Since 1966, the National Committee has served as a vital bridge between the two countries, responding to immediate crises and systemic shifts by providing a platform for frank and constructive dialogue, and by creating relevant, high-impact programs that address the changing nature of the bilateral relationship. Its ongoing exchanges, dialogues, conferences, and delegations bring together a wide range of policymakers, corporate leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, professionals, military personnel, and students from both sides of the Pacific. Through public outreach and educational events, the Committee stimulates public discussion and facilitates the exchange of ideas and viewpoints.

The National Committee’s programs draw strength from its members, who number more than 700 prominent Americans from all parts of the country, and nearly 60 corporations and professional firms. They represent many viewpoints, but share the belief that productive U.S.-China relations require ongoing public education, face-to-face contact, and the forthright exchange of ideas.

Kai-Fu Lee: AI Superpowers

National Committee on U.S.-China Relations

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