“There are people who wish I wouldn’t refer to China as our enemy, but that’s exactly what they are,” declared Donald Trump, while running for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in 2015. “It’s an economic enemy.”[i]
Escalating tensions have fractured U.S.-China relations in recent years. Amid this geopolitical strife, education exchanges emerge as a beacon of hope, offering a rare opportunity to build bridges in a divided world. For decades, these programs have fostered mutual understanding, cultural empathy, and innovation, forming a cornerstone of bilateral cooperation. However, recent geopolitical shifts and ideological differences have strained these once-thriving connections.
Unlike political agreements often marked by contention and short-term interests, education and research transcend borders, driven by collaboration and a shared pursuit of progress. By viewing education exchanges as strategic platforms for cultivating long-term relationships and mutual respect, the U.S. and China can foster cooperation and build deeper, more enduring bonds of trust.
The Decline of U.S.-China Educational Exchanges: A Lost Bridge of Understanding
Educational exchanges have long served as a cornerstone of U.S.-China diplomacy, representing a shared commitment to fostering knowledge and mutual understanding. Programs like the Fulbright Scholar Program and collaborations between American and Chinese universities exemplified this commitment. However, in 2020, the Trump administration suspended Fulbright exchanges with China, a decision that sparked significant concern within the U.S. higher education community.[ii] Margaret Lewis, a professor at Seton Hall University, emphasized the critical role of such programs, stating, “People-to-people exchange is the foundation of high-level foreign policy. Without understanding — the opportunity to experience each other’s cultures — there is little hope for progress.”[iii]
Since then, there has been a significant decline in the number of American students in China. In the spring of 2024, approximately 800 American students were studying in China, a stark contrast to the over 11,000 recorded in 2019, according to the Institute of International Education.[iv] In comparison, U.S. student enrollment in countries often regarded as allies, such as the United Kingdom and Italy, experienced only a temporary dip during the pandemic, and have since rebounded.[v] Meanwhile, nearly 300,000 Chinese students are currently studying in the United States,[vi] with China consistently ranking as the top country of origin for international students at institutions such as Harvard.[vii]
In fact, these exchanges have delivered significant economic benefits to U.S. universities and provided Chinese students with opportunities to develop critical thinking skills, shaping a generation of global leaders. Similarly, American students and researchers studying in China have gained invaluable insights into the country’s rich cultural heritage and rapidly evolving society. Sara Parker, a Political Science professor at Chabot College, took part in the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in Beijing from 2014 to 2015. She remarked “Back at my home institution, I’m proud to be able to bring my firsthand experiences and observations of China to my students, who are every bit as deserving of a world class education as their elite University counterparts.”
Her experience presents how the education exchange opportunity can significantly support the professional endeavor. [viii] At the Education Diplomacy panel hosted by the Forum for World Education in New York in September 2024, four American young professionals with experience studying in China shared how engaging in cultural exchange fostered mutual understanding and profoundly shaped their career trajectories.[ix] These educational interactions have played a vital role in demystifying China for many Americans, building bridges of understanding and fostering mutual respect on a personal level.
The decline of educational exchanges extends beyond academia, amplifying misunderstandings, reinforcing stereotypes, and fostering distrust. Research shows exchange programs are among the most effective tools for providing students with firsthand exposure to a host country’s ideals and values, fostering deeper, unbiased perspectives on its economic, political, and social dynamics.[x] Rebuilding these exchanges is vital, as they transcend political and economic divides, fostering enduring relationships grounded in shared goals and mutual understanding — an approach far more sustainable than high-stakes negotiations or conflicts.
Friend or Foe, Education Exchanges Are Vital for U.S.-China Relations
Recognizing that the U.S. and China face global challenges beyond the capacity of any single nation, education exchanges are essential for fostering collaboration. As highlighted in University World News, restarting programs like Fulbright with a focus on areas perceived as less politically contentious such as environmental science and cultural studies offers a pragmatic path to rebuilding trust amid current tensions.[xi] Beyond formal initiatives, grassroots exchanges, including language-learning partnerships and joint student projects, can also foster meaningful exchanges outside institutional settings.
During his visit to San Francisco in November 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced China’s readiness to invite 50,000 Americans to participate in exchange and study programs over the next five years, emphasizing the importance of increasing interactions between young people in both nations. Xi reiterated that “the future of China-U.S. relations lies in the young people,” urging the next generation to collaborate in promoting “the sound and steady growth” of bilateral ties.[xii]
Similarly, efforts in the U.S. reflect a recognition of the value of education exchanges in fostering mutual understanding. In March 2023, Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA), joined by Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Judy Chu (D-CA), introduced H.R. 2381 the “Restoring Fulbright Exchanges with China and Hong Kong Act” to revive educational collaborations.[xiii] With the new Congress, the bill has since expired and would need to be reintroduced. Without continued support for educational programs, the U.S. risks further deepening misunderstandings and losing valuable channels for dialogue and collaboration.
Despite fundamental disagreements, education exchanges remain a vital tool for fostering understanding between the U.S. and China. Key areas of discord include trade imbalances, technological competition, and differing approaches to global governance. Critics argue that these exchanges could inadvertently provide China with strategic advantages, such as fostering expertise that strengthens its global influence. However, as Sun Tzu observed in The Art of War, “Know yourself and your opponent, and you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”[xiv] These exchanges equip both nations with the knowledge and empathy needed to navigate their complex relationship effectively.
Far from being merely diplomatic gestures, education exchanges are a strategic imperative for addressing global challenges and ensuring long-term stability. The enduring professional relationship between U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and China’s Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua illustrates the transformative power of sustained engagement. Their collaboration, rooted in mutual respect and understanding, has enabled critical progress on global climate action, including the 2021 U.S.-China Joint Statement Addressing the Climate Crisis.[xv] Such partnerships highlight how relationships nurtured through dialogue and exchange — whether educational or professional — can bridge divides and address pressing global challenges. In a polarized world, they serve as a beacon of hope, bridging divides and promoting reconciliation, mutual respect, and shared progress. The time to rebuild these critical connections is now, before distrust and division make collaboration impossible.
[i] “10 Times Trump Attacked China on Trade Relations with the U.S.” ABC News. March 22, 2017. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/10-times-trump-attacked-china-trade-relations-us/story?id=46572567.
[ii] Elizabeth Redden, “Trump Targets Fulbright in China, Hong Kong,” Inside Higher Ed, July 16, 2020, https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/07/16/trump-targets-fulbright-china-hong-kong.
[iii] Eleanor Albert, “The Cost of Ending Fulbright in China,” The Diplomat, July 2020, https://thediplomat.com/2020/07/the-cost-of-ending-fulbright-in-china/.
[iv] Ruwitch, John. “Why the Number of American Students Choosing to Study in China Remains Low.” KHSU, June 13, 2024. https://www.khsu.org/2024-06-13/why-the-number-of-american-students-choosing-to-study-in-china-remains-low.
[v] “Leading Destinations,” Open Doors, accessed January 2025, https://opendoorsdata.org/data/us-study-abroad/leading-destinations/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
[vi] “Why the Number of American Students Choosing to Study in China Remains Low,” NPR, June 13, 2024, https://www.npr.org/2024/06/13/nx-s1-4989350/why-the-number-of-american-students-choosing-to-study-in-china-remains-low.
[vii] “Statistics,” Harvard International Office, accessed January 5, 2025, https://www.hio.harvard.edu/statistics.
[viii] Sara Parker, “A Family of Five, Five Months, and Five Days in Beijing,” Fulbright Scholars, accessed January 5, 2025, https://fulbrightscholars.org/article/family-five-five-months-five-days-beijing.
[ix] Forum for World Education, “Education Diplomacy: How International Perspectives Can Affect the Next Generation,” accessed January 5, 2025, https://www.fweforum.org/event/education-diplomacy-how-international-perspectives-can-affect-the-next-generation/.
[x] E. H. Potter, “Canada and the New Public Diplomacy,” Discussion Papers in Diplomacy, no. 81 (July 2002), accessed January 5, 2025, http://www.clingendael.nl/publications/2002/20020700_cli_paper_dip_issue81.pdf.
[xi] Philip G. Altbach and Gerard A. Postiglione, “U.S.-China Academic Relations Are at a Crossroads,” University World News, October 1, 2024, accessed January 5, 2025, https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20241001135143943.
[xii] Orange Wang, “Xi Jinping Wants More Young Americans to Visit China – Visa-Free Entry Might Help,” South China Morning Post, November 17, 2024, accessed January 5, 2025, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3272076/xi-jinping-wants-more-young-americans-visit-china-visa-free-entry-might-help.
[xiii] H.R. 2381 – Restoring Fulbright Exchanges with China and Hong Kong Act, 118th Congress (2023-2024), accessed January 5, 2025, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2381.
[xiv] Tzu, Sun. 2010. The Art of War. PDF. Capstone Classics. Chichester, England: Capstone Publishing.
[xv] U.S. Department of State, “U.S.-China Joint Statement Addressing the Climate Crisis,” accessed January 5, 2025, https://www.state.gov/u-s-china-joint-statement-addressing-the-climate-crisis/.