On November 18, 2011, Xu Kuangdi, Honorary Chairman of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), met with a delegation headed by John Podesta, Chair of the Center for American Progress (CAP), also visiting professor of Georgetown University Law Center, and former White House Chief of Staff.

Xu extended his warm welcome to Mr. Podesta and his delegation, who also congratulated on the success of the “Third China-U.S. Dialogue”, sponsored jointly by the Center for American Progress, Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) as well as China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), which was held in Beijing. He also appreciated the positive efforts made by CAP to build up mutual understanding and friendship between China and the U.S.” Xu also said that, since the next year marks the 40th anniversary of the restoration of communication for China and the U.S., the two countries should respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, enhance strategic mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and hold hands in promoting the cooperative partnership between the two sides.

Podesta said the Center for American Progress is ready to remain committed to conducting exchanges and dialogue with China and contribute to bilateral ties.

CAP delegation’s visit to China was promoted hugely by the continuous efforts made by Tung Chee-hwa, Vice Chairman of CPPCC, and was made possible upon the invitation of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs. Visiting delegates include Erik Smith, former U.S. Senate Democratic leader, Rudy Deleon, former Vice Minister of Defense, Andy Stern, former President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), as well as David Finkelstein, Director of CNA (Center for Naval Analyses), China and Asian Studies. Present also in the meeting were Zhou Ji, President of CAE, Du Xiangwan, former Vice President of CAE, Zhang Ping, Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, as well as Alan Wong, Executive Director of China-United States Exchange Foundation.

The Center for American Progress, originally called the United States Progressive Policy Institute, was a policy body for U. S. Democratic Leadership Council. When Clinton served as Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council from March 1990 to August 1991, he maintained close ties with this institute. Thus, quite a few members of the council were admitted into the special committee responsible for Clinton’s presidential campaign race, after the success of which, John Podesta was appointed as the White House Chief of Staff for Clinton Administration. As a matter of fact, observers in the U. S. commonly recognize the Progressive Policy Institute to be Clinton’s private think-tank. In recent years, CAP has increased its influences and gained its reputation as Obama’s right hand man (valuable and capable assistant) by the media, after many of its suggestions made based on research findings were adopted by Obama Administration. (By Zhu Yu, December 2011; translated by Liu Chang)