Is Washington misreading Beijing? Decline in US visits to China sparks concern
When Grant Newsham, a retired US Marine colonel and security analyst, sat down for an interview that aired last month, he called China’s economic rise illusory and said there were “600 million Chinese at least who live on US$5 a day or less”. His remarks quickly drew online criticism as well as accusations that he was using outdated figures from 2020 while ignoring differences in purchasing…
A recent report from the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) highlights a concerning decline in US visits to China, which could potentially mislead American policymakers and academics about their primary rival. When Grant Newsham, a retired US Marine colonel, made remarks about China's economic rise being illusory, he drew criticism for using outdated figures and questioning his firsthand experience of China.
However, the debate went beyond a dispute over living standards, emphasizing the need for Americans to gain firsthand exposure to China.
The CSIS report revealed that visits by congressional delegations to mainland China and Hong Kong have dropped sharply since the late 2010s, coinciding with deteriorating bilateral relations. Tensions intensified during the Trump administration, marked by a trade war, technological rivalry, and military stand-offs in the South China Sea. The report also noted a decline in American students studying in China and a reduction in programs designed to train future China specialists.
Experts warn that this loss of direct, on-the-ground exposure could threaten America's ability to assess and engage with China, especially as China's strategic importance to US foreign policy continues to grow. A broad retreat in exchanges between the two countries has occurred, with fewer than 2,000 Americans studying in China, compared to a peak of 11,000 in 2019. The number of Chinese students enrolled at US universities also continues to fall amid tighter visa restrictions and curbs on research exchange.
This trend could lead to miscalculations in American policy towards China, as lawmakers become reliant on second-hand information and may rely too heavily on political labels and a narrow security-focused view of China. To prevent this, it is crucial for American policymakers and academics to gain firsthand experience of China through direct engagement, including visits to the mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
