On September 3, USCET held a roundtable discussion featuring Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch in conversation with Elliott School Dean Alyssa Ayres. The event was attended by 13 GW students with diverse interests in Asia and US-China relations, as well as interest in the Julia Chang Bloch (JCB) Fellowship opportunity, which officially launched at GW this year.
Fellowship Roundtable with Amb. Bloch and Dean Ayres
Fostering the Next Generation of Asian Specialists
Dean Ayres opened the session with a warm introduction of Ambassador Bloch and an overview of the JCB Fellowship. Ambassador Bloch then spoke about the fellowship’s mission to nurture future leaders and encourage more American China specialists to study East Asia, particularly China. Ambassador Bloch stressed that US-China relations remain one of the most pressing global issues and that the fellowship seeks to support students in contributing to this crucial dialogue through research and study.
Interactive Dialogue with Students
Following Ambassador Bloch’s remarks, the students in attendance introduced themselves and shared their backgrounds, interests, and areas of study. Drawing from her extensive experience, Ambassador Bloch discussed the evolution of US-China relations since the 1970s, highlighting key turning points and events that shaped the current state of bilateral relations. She emphasized the ongoing importance of US-China cooperation while students asked questions and made observations connecting historical events with current international dynamics.
USCET Executive Director Rosie Levine added to Ambassador Bloch’s remarks by sharing recent trends in educational exchanges between the US and China. She expanded on USCET’s Three Decades of Chinese Students in America, 1991-2021 survey, highlighting shifts in the number of Chinese students studying in the US and American students in China. Rosie emphasized the challenges and opportunities in sustaining forums for academic exchange. Ambassador Bloch also mentioned the Students Finding Common Ground project, a collaboration between Tsinghua University and GW, as an example of how meaningful dialogue and exchange can continue even in challenging times.
Ambassador Bloch Answering Students’ Questions
Discussion with Ambassador Bloch
Looking to the Future
The roundtable concluded on an optimistic note, with Ambassador Bloch expressing her confidence in the next generation’s ability to navigate the complexities of US-China relations. She conveyed her enthusiasm for engaging with students passionate about US-China relations and underscored their critical role in shaping a more cooperative future between the two countries. Many students indicated interest in the JCB Fellowship and further opportunities to remain engaged with USCET.