Continuing the U.S.-China Dialogue: Events Featuring Current Georgetown Students in Hong Kong and Beijing
This past May, nearly 300 alumni, students, parents, and guests gathered in Beijing and Hong Kong for two major outreach events designed to strengthen ties between Georgetown and Asia.
Spotlight on Student Dialogue
At the Beijing reception, Vice President for Global Engagement Tom Banchoff highlighted the work of the U.S.-China Student Dialogue, a signature program of Georgetown’s Initiative for US-China Dialogue on Global Issues, which brings top Georgetown students together with counterparts at leading Chinese universities – first online and then in person – to discuss ways forward in Sino-American relations. Two students Raghav Akula (SFS’27) from Georgetown and Zhang Gongle from Tsinghua University shared their experience participating in the program and discussed how such dialogues can promote mutual understanding and help bridge differences. Nearly 100 guests attended the event at the Hong Kong Jockey Clubhouse in Beijing, which was graciously hosted by Helena Yang (C’22) and Gene Yang (C’24).
Building on the Hong Kong Alumni Network
An event hosted by Leigh Tung Chou (SFS'93) in Hong Kong at the Aberdeen Marina Club saw an even larger audience, with 165 alumni and guests. Vice President Banchoff engaged Professor Evan Medeiros, director of Asian Studies, in a fireside chat about challenges facing the U.S.-China relationship in its wider geopolitical context. Following this discussion, students Aanika Veedon (SFS’26) and Luke Hughes (SFS’27), who had spent the day in conversation with students at the University of Hong Kong, shared their experience with the dialogues and their perspectives on the bilateral relationship.
Huge thanks are due to Georgetown’s generous hosts in these markets, as well as to the alumni clubs of Beijing and Hong Kong for helping promote these events and engagement in Asia.