The Changing Dynamism of Sino-U.S. Educational Ties: from a Crisis-management Tool to an Institutionalized Bridge

• In Event: The Role of Education and Cultural Exchange in Mitigating Crises: Case Studies of Exchanges between the U.S. and China

Abstract

The past century and more has seen dramatic changes in Sino-U.S. educational communication which grew up rapidly since 1905 before it suffered an abrupt termination in 1949. Following a three-decade long suspension, it reemerged as a strong bilateral tie between Beijing and Washington in 1979. By comparing the two time periods during which the Sino-U.S. scholarly contact advanced swiftly, this paper believes that when the academic tie was perceived as the political instrument, it usually failed to live up to the expectations of the politicians, and appeared vulnerable before the political fury. But when enhancing the educational tie was set as the goal in itself, it tends to bring about surprising political and diplomatic effects.

Author

• Zou Hongjin, Beijing Foreign Studies University