William R. Kenan Professor of Government Cheng Li spoke about Chinese President Hu Jintao's first visit to the United States and his upcoming summitt with President George W. Bush, at the National Committee on United States-China Relations on April 17.
Li addressed the Asia Society on April 19, focusing on China's internal politics. Both lectures took place in New York City. Li was also interviewed live on the BBC's World News on April 19.
Li's lecture at the National Committee on United States-China Relations titled, "Hu's Opportunity? Our Opportunity: Seeking Common Interests at a Time of Mutual Suspicion," focused on the misperceptions and misjudgments the West has about President Hu Jintao, how his policies will differ from those of his predecessors and the direction China is heading under his leadership.
Li also discussed Hu's possible agenda for his visit to the United States. He challenged the question, "Will Hu become China's Gorbachev?" Li characterized Hu Jintao as a populist and pragmatist highlighting some of his demonstrated concern with issues of social fairness and social cohesion. Li believes Hu Jintao is visiting America for three reasons: to discuss economic interests, to show his colleagues that it is in the best interest of China to have a constructive relationship with the United States and to make contacts with business leaders, members of the U.S. Congress and prominent people in the academic community.
Joining Li at the Asia Society was former assistant manager of Time magazine, Dinda Elliott. The lecture was the second part of a series exploring the "…historical, political, economic, cultural and educational aspects and implications of China's rise."
For a transcript of Li's lecture at the National Committee on United States-China Relations, click on http://www.ncuscr.org/Cheng_Li_April2006.htm
For a transcript of Li's speech at the Asia Society, click on http://www.asiasource.org/events/ae_mp_03.cfm?EventID=15880
