Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 13 hours ago
Chinese Encounters with America tells the stories of twelve Chinese whose American experiences transformed their lives and influenced China’s trajectory. Each chapter recounts how these individuals understood the United States and adapted their interpretations to bolster China’s quest for modernization. Their varied professions range from diplomacy, business, and science to sports, education, and the arts, but several shared questions tie their stories together: Why did they go to the United States, and why did they decide to return to China? What difference did their encounters with America make in their lives and careers? What do their experiences tell us about the complexities of Sino-American interactions?
In an event held on October 8, 2025, co-editors Deborah Davis and Terry Lautz, joined by chapter writers Elizabeth Knup and Sheila Melvin, in conversation with Yingyi Ma, discuss the ways in which personal encounters help people find common ground even at a time of contention in Sino-U.S. relations.
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NCUSCR fosters U.S.-China communication and exchange in support of productive bilateral relations and U.S. interests. Learn more: ncuscr.org/about.
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Chinese Encounters with America tells the stories of twelve Chinese whose American experiences transformed their lives and influenced China’s trajectory. Each chapter recounts how these individuals understood the United States and adapted their interpretations to bolster China’s quest for modernization. Their varied professions range from diplomacy, business, and science to sports, education, and the arts, but several shared questions tie their stories together: Why did they go to the United States, and why did they decide to return to China? What difference did their encounters with America make in their lives and careers? What do their experiences tell us about the complexities of Sino-American interactions?
In an event held on October 8, 2025, co-editors Deborah Davis and Terry Lautz, joined by chapter writers Elizabeth Knup and Sheila Melvin, in conversation with Yingyi Ma, discuss the ways in which personal encounters help people find common ground even at a time of contention in Sino-U.S. relations.
_____________________________________________
NCUSCR fosters U.S.-China communication and exchange in support of productive bilateral relations and U.S. interests. Learn more: ncuscr.org/about.
► Subscribe to our channel: ncuscr.video/subscribe-youtube
► Check out the rest of our videos and podcasts here: ncuscr.org/media
► Follow @NCUSCR on Twitter: twitter.com/ncuscr
► Facebook: facebook.com/NCUSCR
► Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/ncuscr
► Instagram: instagram.com/ncuscr
► TikTok: tiktok.com/@ncuscr1966
► Weibo: weibo.com/ncuscr
► Visit our website for the latest information on our upcoming events, programs, digital content, and more: ncuscr.org
► Support our mission to promote understanding and cooperation between the United States and China: secure.givelively.org/donate/ncuscr/promote-engagement
