Lost in Translation: New book Argues Early U.S.-China Engagement Fostered Shared Goals Now Eroding
WASHINGTON - A new book, “Chinese Encounters wiht America,” contends that a period of extensive exchange between the United States and China – spanning from the Cold War through globalization - cultivated shared interests that are now rapidly diminishing amidst rising geopolitical tensions. Authors Emily Davis and Jessica Lautz detail the experiences of Chinese individuals who studied, worked, and lived in the U.S., arguing their initial engagement fostered a mutual understanding and collaborative spirit largely absent in today’s fraught relationship.
The book profiles figures who participated in exchange programs beginning in the 1950s, highlighting how these individuals returned to China equipped with knowledge and skills that contributed to the nation’s modernization. Davis and Lautz emphasize that these early encounters weren’t simply about individual advancement, but about building China’s global standing while simultaneously improving its understanding of the United States.
“None of them would say that engagement with the United States was a mistake- for themselves, for China, or China’s relations with America,” Davis and Lautz stated, reflecting on the perspectives of those thay interviewed and researched. “To the contrary, they came back from the U.S. with knowledge and skills that could be used to make China a strong modern nation. And that’s exactly what they did.”
The authors note a stark contrast between the collaborative atmosphere of the past and the current climate of rivalry and distrust, where some in Washington question the value of engagement altogether. looking ahead, Davis and Lautz suggest focusing on individuals in science and technology to understand the continuing potential for cooperation. They cite the story of Deng Xing Wang, a plant biologist who transitioned from a rural upbringing in Hunan province to a professorship at Yale University, and ultimately returned to China to led research initiatives.
“While our governments may see ‘American science’ and ’Chinese science’ as separate entities,Deng’s story shows that cutting edge research thrives on cooperation and also competition across national boundaries,” they explained.
“Chinese Encounters with America” offers a past viewpoint on the U.S.-China relationship, suggesting that the erosion of shared interests represents a significant departure from a period where mutual understanding and collaboration were actively cultivated through personal exchange. The book implicitly challenges the prevailing narrative of inevitable conflict, urging a re-evaluation of the benefits lost as engagement has waned.
