China Hands

Prof. Simon Koo is the Executive Director of The Beijing Center (TBC). He’s a scholar and academic administrator committed to advancing East-West dialogue and fostering mutual understanding. At TBC, he leads efforts in curriculum design, academic planning, accreditation, faculty development, and global partnerships, supporting TBC’s mission to promote intercultural engagement.

Prof. Simon Koo is the Executive Director of The Beijing Center (TBC). He’s a scholar and academic administrator committed to advancing East-West dialogue and fostering mutual understanding. At TBC, he leads efforts in curriculum design, academic planning, accreditation, faculty development, and global partnerships, supporting TBC’s mission to promote intercultural engagement.

Madelyn Ross is President Emeritus of the US-China Education Trust (USCET) and was one of the first American students in China following normalization, studying at Fudan University in Shanghai in 1979-1980. Before coming to USCET, she was at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) as the Executive Director of SAIS China and Associate Director of China Studies. She did similar work at George Mason University from 2003 to 2015 as Director of China Initiatives across the university.

Madelyn Ross is President Emeritus of the US-China Education Trust (USCET) and was one of the first American students in China following normalization, studying at Fudan University in Shanghai in 1979-1980. Before coming to USCET, she was at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) as the Executive Director of SAIS China and Associate Director of China Studies. She did similar work at George Mason University from 2003 to 2015 as Director of China Initiatives across the university.

Geoffrey (Geoff) Newman is an expert in business development in the aerospace industry, linking China, the Asia Pacific, and the United States. During his studies as the first exchange student from Columbia University at Peking University in 1980, he conducted research in collaboration with the daughter of one of the first Chinese students at Columbia University on the life of her father. Afterwards working as one of the few Americans involved in business development and joint ventures in China in the 1980s, Geoff worked in the development of Chinese passenger aircraft programs. Examples include providing commercial aircraft equipment, propellers, and environmental controls to the Xian and Harbin aircraft manufacturers and afterwards his involvement in the C919 aircraft developed by COMAC. Currently, Geoff is applying his expertise as a consultant for the International Security Industrial Council.

Geoffrey (Geoff) Newman is an expert in business development in the aerospace industry, linking China, the Asia Pacific, and the United States. During his studies as the first exchange student from Columbia University at Peking University in 1980, he conducted research in collaboration with the daughter of one of the first Chinese students at Columbia University on the life of her father. Afterwards working as one of the few Americans involved in business development and joint ventures in China in the 1980s, Geoff worked in the development of Chinese passenger aircraft programs. Examples include providing commercial aircraft equipment, propellers, and environmental controls to the Xian and Harbin aircraft manufacturers and afterwards his involvement in the C919 aircraft developed by COMAC. Currently, Geoff is applying his expertise as a consultant for the International Security Industrial Council.

Henry Huiyao Wang is the Founder and President of Center for China and Globalization (CCG), a leading Chinese nongovernmental think tank. Previously, Dr Wang held various Fellowships at leading American institutions like Harvard University and Brooking Institution and Adjunct Professorships at leading Chinese universities like Peking and Tsinghua University. The 2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index by the University of Pennsylvania ranks CCG 64th of the top think tanks worldwide and among the top 50 “best independent think tanks.”Under the slogan of “Global Vision for China and Chinese Wisdom for the World”, CCG represents one of the leading voices on globalisation in China. In our interview, we discuss how Dr. Wang’s education and research experiences led him to found CCG in 2008, his perspectives on Sino-American relations, and the importance of student exchanges between the two countries. On the last topic, Dr. Wang shares with us various insights as how China is implementing the goal to receive 50,000 American students over the next five years and CCG’s research on Sino-American educational relations. The full interview in video format is available via CCG's media, such as their YouTube channel.

Henry Huiyao Wang is the Founder and President of Center for China and Globalization (CCG), a leading Chinese nongovernmental think tank. Previously, Dr Wang held various Fellowships at leading American institutions like Harvard University and Brooking Institution and Adjunct Professorships at leading Chinese universities like Peking and Tsinghua University. The 2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index by the University of Pennsylvania ranks CCG 64th of the top think tanks worldwide and among the top 50 “best independent think tanks.”Under the slogan of “Global Vision for China and Chinese Wisdom for the World”, CCG represents one of the leading voices on globalisation in China. In our interview, we discuss how Dr. Wang’s education and research experiences led him to found CCG in 2008, his perspectives on Sino-American relations, and the importance of student exchanges between the two countries. On the last topic, Dr. Wang shares with us various insights as how China is implementing the goal to receive 50,000 American students over the next five years and CCG’s research on Sino-American educational relations. The full interview in video format is available via CCG's media, such as their YouTube channel.

As one of China's leading experts on Sino-American relations and US Security & Foreign policy, Da Wei is the Director of the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS) at Tsinghua University, where he is also a Professor at the Department of International Relations of the School of Social Sciences. Prof. Da also led one of the first Chinese student delegations to the United States, which he extensively covers on the podcast. Currently, he is also a Visiting Scholar on China Policy at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC), conducting research regarding contemporary China affairs and U.S.-China policy with the China Program and Professor Jean Oi. Previously, Prof. Da was the Director of the Institute of American Studies of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, where he also received his PhD. He was also Visiting Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and a Visiting Senior Associate at Johns Hopkins University SAIS.

As one of China's leading experts on Sino-American relations and US Security & Foreign policy, Da Wei is the Director of the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS) at Tsinghua University, where he is also a Professor at the Department of International Relations of the School of Social Sciences. Prof. Da also led one of the first Chinese student delegations to the United States, which he extensively covers on the podcast. Currently, he is also a Visiting Scholar on China Policy at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC), conducting research regarding contemporary China affairs and U.S.-China policy with the China Program and Professor Jean Oi. Previously, Prof. Da was the Director of the Institute of American Studies of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, where he also received his PhD. He was also Visiting Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and a Visiting Senior Associate at Johns Hopkins University SAIS.

Frank Hawke was amongst the first American exchange students to China, after which he had a long and distinguished career in banking, finance, and consultancy in Asia. More recently, he was the previous Director of the China Program for the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Prior to his exchange with Peking University in 1979, Frank completed his BA in Economics and MA in Political Science at Stanford University and was a PhD candidate in Chinese Politics. After his exchange, Frank closed various landmark deals in China, such as the Great Wall Hotel - China’s first joint venture - and the Beijing Jeep Corporation. In the latter, he was engaged in some of the first US-China technology transfers. He worked for Citibank from 1988 to 1994, managing businesses in the PRC and Taiwan, and he headed a team that re-established Citibank in Vietnam. Frank's wide range of positions further include from 1994 to 1997 being the Head of Investment Banking for Salomon Brothers China. Frank also played a key role in not just inspiring me but making the introductions needed to establish this podcast - preserving the oral history of US-China academic relations would not have been possible without his help.

Frank Hawke was amongst the first American exchange students to China, after which he had a long and distinguished career in banking, finance, and consultancy in Asia. More recently, he was the previous Director of the China Program for the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Prior to his exchange with Peking University in 1979, Frank completed his BA in Economics and MA in Political Science at Stanford University and was a PhD candidate in Chinese Politics. After his exchange, Frank closed various landmark deals in China, such as the Great Wall Hotel - China’s first joint venture - and the Beijing Jeep Corporation. In the latter, he was engaged in some of the first US-China technology transfers. He worked for Citibank from 1988 to 1994, managing businesses in the PRC and Taiwan, and he headed a team that re-established Citibank in Vietnam. Frank's wide range of positions further include from 1994 to 1997 being the Head of Investment Banking for Salomon Brothers China. Frank also played a key role in not just inspiring me but making the introductions needed to establish this podcast - preserving the oral history of US-China academic relations would not have been possible without his help.

Frank Hawke was amongst the first American exchange students to China, after which he had a long and distinguished career in banking, finance, and consultancy in Asia. More recently, he was the previous Director of the China Program for the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Prior to his exchange with Peking University in 1979, Frank completed his BA in Economics and MA in Political Science at Stanford University and was a PhD candidate in Chinese Politics. After his exchange, Frank closed various landmark deals in China, such as the Great Wall Hotel - China’s first joint venture - and the Beijing Jeep Corporation. In the latter, he was engaged in some of the first US-China technology transfers. He worked for Citibank from 1988 to 1994, managing businesses in the PRC and Taiwan, and he headed a team that re-established Citibank in Vietnam. Frank's wide range of positions further include from 1994 to 1997 being the Head of Investment Banking for Salomon Brothers China. Frank also played a key role in not just inspiring me but making the introductions needed to establish this podcast - preserving the oral history of US-China academic relations would not have been possible without his help.

Joining us today is Andrew Andreasen, the Resident Director of the Inter-University Program (IUP) for Chinese Language Studies at Tsinghua University and previous Executive Director of the Stanford Center at Peking University. One of the first American exchange students to China, Andrew sailed with the United States Merchant Marine Corps before attending Stanford University for his MA and PhD in Linguistics and East Asia Studies. After completing his PhD in 1980, he worked in various leadership positions in China in industries ranging from real estate to aluminium. Before joining the Stanford Center at Peking University, he was the Managing Director of a subsidiary of Baker & McKenzie for 14 years.

Joining us today is Andrew Andreasen, the Resident Director of the Inter-University Program (IUP) for Chinese Language Studies at Tsinghua University and previous Executive Director of the Stanford Center at Peking University. One of the first American exchange students to China, Andrew sailed with the United States Merchant Marine Corps before attending Stanford University for his MA and PhD in Linguistics and East Asia Studies. After completing his PhD in 1980, he worked in various leadership positions in China in industries ranging from real estate to aluminium. Before joining the Stanford Center at Peking University, he was the Managing Director of a subsidiary of Baker & McKenzie for 14 years.

Ellen Eliasoph is a film executive and producer who has spent the last 25 years building bridges among China's film industry, Hollywood, and the global film market. Ellen is a summa cum laude graduate of Yale College and a graduate of Yale Law School, during the latter being amongst the group of the first Americans to study in China. Before working in the film industry, she utilised her legal studies to play a key role in the building of China’s legal system – some of the forms she created back then she still uses in her work today. Ellen became the first Hollywood executive to be based in China when she established Warner Bros.' Beijing office in 1993. As a movie aficionado, it’s super exciting to hear Ellen talk about her arranging and managing the China releases of the Matrix and Harry Potter series and other Warner Bros. blockbusters, and serving as the studio production executive on its Chinese films and co-productions. The interview was recorded on the 6th of May, 2023 and Ellen’s references to the Shanghai International Film Festival refer to the iteration back in June this year.

Ellen Eliasoph is a film executive and producer who has spent the last 25 years building bridges among China's film industry, Hollywood, and the global film market. Ellen is a summa cum laude graduate of Yale College and a graduate of Yale Law School, during the latter being amongst the group of the first Americans to study in China. Before working in the film industry, she utilised her legal studies to play a key role in the building of China’s legal system – some of the forms she created back then she still uses in her work today. Ellen became the first Hollywood executive to be based in China when she established Warner Bros.' Beijing office in 1993. As a movie aficionado, it’s super exciting to hear Ellen talk about her arranging and managing the China releases of the Matrix and Harry Potter series and other Warner Bros. blockbusters, and serving as the studio production executive on its Chinese films and co-productions. The interview was recorded on the 6th of May, 2023 and Ellen’s references to the Shanghai International Film Festival refer to the iteration back in June this year.

Ira Kasoff received his B.A. from Harvard University in 1973 and PhD from Princeton University in 1982. During the latter, he spent a year doing research at Peking University as one of the first American students. From 1985 to 2007, Ira was a diplomat, serving seven assignments in Asia with the U.S. Commercial Service, including in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. He also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Asia, where he oversaw Asia trade policy, engaged in trade negotiations, and served as the senior advisor to two Secretaries of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez and Gary Locke. Afterwards, he advised businesses on Asia strategy while working at APCO as a senior counsellor and member of the International Advisory Council. The interview was recorded on the 5th of May, 2023, which is of importance to consider in the context of our discussion of US-China technological competition and government-to-government, business, and academic exchanges.

We are proud to present our first interview in Mandarin for this series with 黄道林, the Director of Academic Exchanges at Peking University from 1978 till 1992! Since my Mandarin is not yet at the level needed for such a complex conversation I’ve collaborated with Kevin Wei to host this episode. Kevin is a JD Candidate at Harvard Law School and previously a Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University. My special thanks also to Yipei Lu, who assisted with the editing of this episode. Yipei is another dear friend of mine pursuing his second Master’s at Tsinghua University and, just like I was last summer, a Young Ambassador at Carnegie China.

David 'Mike' Lampton is Professor Emeritus and former Hyman Professor and Director of SAIS-China and China Studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Previously, he was the President of the National Committee on US-China Relations, Director of the Committee on Scholarly Communication with the PRC (CSCPRC), and headed the China Studies programs at the American Enterprise Institute and The Nixon Center (now The Center for National Interest). He received his BA, MA, and PhD degrees from Stanford University.