[Commentary] Stephen Orlens, the 72-year-old chairman of the National Committee on US-China Relations, has been dealing with China for most of his life.
In the early years, he personally participated in the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China and the first round of foreign investment in China, witnessing and participating in China's development and changes in the past few decades.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency, Orens expressed the hope that more Americans can study, work and live in China.
At that time, they will have a completely different understanding of China.
[Concurrent] Stephen Orlens, Chairman of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations
I hope more American children can study in China.
Compared with those who study and know China in the United States, those Americans who have actually studied and lived in China and have communicated with Chinese people will have a deeper understanding of China.
[Explanation] In Orens' view, Americans who have lived in China usually have "more constructive views" on China issues and are more supportive of maintaining good relations between the United States and China.
[Concurrent] Stephen Orlens, Chairman of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations
In the view of China, there are two types of people in the United States, those who have lived in China and those who have never lived in China.
Americans who have lived in China generally have more constructive views on China issues and are more supportive of good U.S.-China relations.
These are all based on their living, studying and working in China.
(For example) my perception of China comes not from conversations with leading figures, but from dealing with (Chinese) local governments, local businesses, and using that to build businesses that are in the interests of both U.S. and Chinese partners.
So my understanding (of China) is very different from someone who has not lived in China and has not dealt with Chinese people.
[Commentary] Orlens believes that more and more Chinese companies invest in the United States and Chinese students come to the United States to study. They are also "envoys" to spread Chinese culture, traditions and values to the American people.
[Concurrent] Stephen Orlens, Chairman of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations
These Chinese students grew up under the Chinese system, then came to the United States to study and learned about the American system.
Whatever decision they make after that will affect US-China relations.
If they stay in the United States, they will be messengers to spread Chinese history, traditions, and culture.
Americans who interact regularly with Chinese will know more about China than Americans who live in neighborhoods without Chinese.
At the same time, with the influx of Chinese students studying abroad, the absence of Chinese in the American community has become increasingly rare.
[Commentary] Although the relationship between the two countries is currently at a "trough", Orens is still optimistic about the future of US-China relations.
[Concurrent] Stephen Orlens, Chairman of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations
In the long run, I'm optimistic (on the U.S.-China relationship) because the people of the U.S. and China will demand a constructive relationship between the two countries.
The most fundamental conflict in our society is external.
And the only way to deal with these problems is to join forces.
We can still fail (even with cooperation), but without cooperation we are doomed to fail to solve these important human problems.
Reported by Sha Hanting and Liu Yinghan
Responsible editor: [Luo Pan]