US-China Ties | OP-ED | Security Lense | 18-May-2025
In this interconnected world, where traditional diplomacy often seems restricted by political stalemates, public diplomacy has become a vital tool for building ties between nations. Unlike the formal channels of state-to-state communication in which only leaders can interact with each other, public diplomacy focuses on engaging directly with foreign publics—creating understanding, promoting shared values, and fostering dialogue through education, cultural exchange, and media.
In an era of geopolitical race and mutual mistrust, the relationship between the US-China is often highlighted in blunt terms: like trade war, tech ban, and sea issues. But underneath this, an often-overlooked truth lies—ordinary citizens, students, artists, and educators continue to build ties where formal diplomacy has failed.
Cultural exchange, especially through education and the arts, is one of the most powerful yet less-used tools for promoting understanding between the two states. If we are serious about escaping a future dominated by competition, we must participate more in public diplomacy—through shared classrooms, collaborative research, joint exhibitions, and musical stage
Education has always been a great tool in international relations. The Fulbright Program, launched in China in 1998, allowed thousands of Chinese and American scholars to engage in significant academic exchange. These programs didn’t just make student researchers; they also cultivated empathy in them and broke down stereotypes. Unfortunately, the Fulbright Program in China was suspended in 2020, an outcome of growing political tensions.
Still, examples of successful educational diplomacy remain. Conversely, the China Scholarship Council (CSC) Program supports American students and researchers in China, inspiring mutual learning and cultural immersion. Similarly, the Stanford Center for East Asian Studies (SEAS) Summer Program has allowed Stanford students to study in China through intensive language learning and cultural engagement.
President Obama’s 100,000 Strong Initiative, launched in 2010, intended to send 100,000 American students to China—a goal it reached by 2014. These students returned not only with language skills but with lived experiences of a culture that is often misrepresented in Western media.
Today, despite political friction, Chinese students still make up the largest group of international students in the US, with over 289,000 enrolled. These young minds are ambassadors in their own right, shaping a future where global perspectives are stabilized.
Art, unlike politics, does not require translation. It transcends language and ideology, offering a common ground for humanity. In 2017, the Guggenheim Museum in New York held a groundbreaking exhibit titled “Art and China after 1989: Theater of the World.” It showcased contemporary Chinese artists—many of whom challenged authority and convention—revealing the complexity and diversity of thought within China. For American audiences, the exhibit provided a rare, nuanced view of a society often flattened by political narratives.
In the same year, at the International Computer Music Conference in Shanghai, Chinese and American artists collaborated on “City Maze,” a multimedia performance, an amalgamation of dance and digital art. Using motion sensors, dancers shaped a virtual version of Shanghai, symbolizing the fusion of cultures and creative exploration of urban life. —proving that when cultures meet, they don’t clash—they evolve.
Organizations like the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) also fund cross-cultural artistic internships and partnerships.
Similarly, Yo-Yo Ma’s “Silkroad Project”, started in early 200’s, has bridged East and West through music. In 2019, Ma performed in both the US and China, using music to generate what he called “a common ground of understanding.” His message is simple yet profound: culture is not a luxury, it is a necessity for peace.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when physical exchange was nearly impossible, institutions found new ways to connect. In 2020 and 2021, the Smithsonian Institution and the Palace Museum in Beijing hosted virtual exhibitions that attracted millions. These digital efforts shown that even when borders close, cultural exchange doesn’t have to stop.
There are many challenges faced by cultural diplomacy as these programs are not immune to politics. In recent years, the Confucius Institutes, once perceived as a foundation of China’s soft power, faced criticism in the US over concerns of propaganda and academic freedom. By 2023, over 100 had closed across American campuses. The recent tariff war also poses challenges for public diplomacy.
Governments, universities, and cultural institutions must prioritize and protect platforms for cross-cultural engagement. Reviving adjourned programs like Fulbright, expanding funding for student exchanges, and supporting joint art projects are not mere gestures—they are investments in long-term peace and cooperation.
Just as importantly, young people must be allowed to lead the way. Social media, virtual classrooms, and creative collaborations offer new spaces for negotiation. Let’s support the students who want to study abroad, the artists who want to work together, and the educators who have faith in the value of shared learning.
At a time when the US-China relationship feels fragile and combative, cultural exchange offers a positive alternative—one that is practical, human-centered, and lasting. It’s time to reimagine diplomacy not just through handshakes and summits, but through books, music, and shared meals.
In the end, it may not be diplomats who repair the rift, but the poets, professors, and painters who never stopped believing in the power of connection.
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