On November 7, 2020, the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS), Tsinghua University, held its 15th Security and Strategy Seminar themed “U.S.-China Relations after the U.S. Election.” The virtual event brought together more than 20 CISS Fellows and guest speakers (list attached).

Moderated by CISS Chair Mme. FU Ying, the meeting was divided into two sessions: “The Outlook for U.S. Policies after the Election” and “Post-election U.S.-China Relations and Its Toolbox.”

In the first session, panelists explored the possibilities of U.S. policies and its basic domestic political situation during the presidential transition and Joe Biden’s first days in office, and proposed areas of concern that call for China’s responses, before Trump leaves office as well as in the early days of Biden’s presidency. 

The ensuing discussion in the second session was centered around the opportunities and challenges this election has brought to U.S.-China relations. Participants shared their preliminary interpretations of how Joe Biden will reshape the U.S. foreign policy, and put forward specific policy recommendations on how China can encourage the development of its ties with the U.S.

It was agreed that there comes a window of opportunity for the bilateral relations, and China should capitalize on it. It should act as soon as possible to facilitate communication and cooperation with the U.S. in such areas as pandemic prevention and control, people-to-people exchanges, economic and trade negotiations, and arms control, so as to build a strategically stable framework for their future bilateral ties.

The Security and Strategy Seminar —CISS’s brand forum—regularly invites Chinese experts and scholars from various fields to discuss subjects of interest concerning security and strategy. Previous topics include the Belt and Road Initiative, the international security and strategic landscape, China-U.S. relations, China’s international communication, etc.

List of Panelists: