Time:2014/3/17 

On March 6, 2014, Consul General Yuan Nansheng of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco visited the Institute of International and Strategic Studies (IISS), Peking University (PKU), and shared his experience and reflections about his work since taking his position in San Francisco nine months ago. Prof. Wang Jisi, Prof. Yuan Ming, Associate Prof. Yu Tiejun, Associate Prof. Gui Yongtao from IISS, and Prof. Wang Yong, Associate Prof. Wang Dong from the School of International Studies, PKU, attended the meeting.

Consul General Yuan first introduced background information about San Francisco. He called San Francisco a place with “ten bests and nine benefits.” San Francisco has a long history of Chinese inhabitancy and a profound connection with China, which endows Chinese diplomatic endeavors with advantages as well as complexities. After taking the office, Consul General Yuan led his team through multiple innovations, as well as challenges, such as the Asiana Airlines crash in July 2013. At the meeting, he discussed local resource endowments; technical innovations; the important status of California, especially San Francisco in China-U.S. relations; connections with overseas Chinese society; and consular affairs.

Consul General Yuan thought that, compared to other parts of the world, America is the best place for the personal development of overseas Chinese. San Francisco has been a favorite of overseas Chinese and, with many key governmental posts occupied by Chinese immigrants, has become an example of Chinese immigrants’ successful integration into American society. He also held that China-U.S. cooperation has been expanded and become more practical. The business development in the U.S. is in need of more investment and tourists from China. Today, travel between China and the U.S. is very common; flights take off every 24 minutes and carry approximately ten thousand people every day. In San Francisco, every Chinese tourist spends on average $6000 dollars.. Such close communications have enhanced the American openness and friendliness toward China. 

Using the Asiana Airlines crash as an example, Consular Yuan explained the new situations and problems in consular affairs. He said that dealing with the crash required unprecedented international cooperation and assistance. With close coordination from the U.S., China sufficiently handled the accident. Although the accident took place during the U.S. Independence Day vacation, both sides treated the incident with high responsiveness, providing maximum convenience and help to the families of those injured or killed in the accident.

Consul General Yuan also talked about his interactions with U.S congressmen and women and emphasized flexibility and innovation, as displayed by his unique birthday gift of a poetic rhyming couplet to Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. Meanwhile, he held that there is still a lot to do in deepening mutual beneficial cooperation between China and the U.S. For example, Xi Jinping once pointed out that there should be chances for Chinese overseas students to serve their country, regardless if they choose to work in China or abroad. To provide this “chance to serve their country” abroad, in other words, to help domestic companies and institutions to expand abroad and introduce investment and talents, there must be much development in consular affairs.