Rural Roots to Global Perspective | Melodee Hanes | Part 1

January 30 , 2026

Melodee Hanes, Co-Chair of the Baucus Institute, highlights the transformative power of immersive exchange programs, particularly for students from rural U.S. states. She emphasizes how these experiences broaden young Americans’ perspectives on China, and encourages students to explore public service.

More videos:

Part 1: Rural Roots to Global Perspective | Melodee Hanes
Part 2: Empathy in Action | Melodee Hanes

1:42
Empathy in Action | Melodee Hanes | Part 2
Empathy in Action | Melodee Hanes | Part 2
January 30 , 2026
Melodee Hanes reflects on her career as a prosecutor and her work in China following the country’s first domestic violence law in 2016.

January 30, 2026

Empathy in Action | Melodee Hanes | Part 2
2:29
Challenges to China’s Global Leadership | Wang Jisi | Part 4
Challenges to China’s Global Leadership | Wang Jisi | Part 4
January 30 , 2026
Reflecting on China’s expanding role in international affairs, Prof. Wang Jisi of Peking University acknowledges its strength but underscores persistent challenges such as slower growth, social pressures, and an underdeveloped safety net.

January 30, 2026

Challenges to China’s Global Leadership | Wang Jisi | Part 4
1:32
Taiwan is not a Bargaining Chip for China | Wang Jisi | Part 3
Taiwan is not a Bargaining Chip for China | Wang Jisi | Part 3
January 30 , 2026
Addressing the role of Taiwan in U.S.-China interaction, Prof. Wang discusses the divergence between President Trump’s indifference and the more active, pro-Taiwan stance of key figures within his administration.

January 30, 2026

Taiwan is not a Bargaining Chip for China | Wang Jisi | Part 3
1:49
Institutional Disconnect within US-China Relations | Wang Jisi | Part 2
Institutional Disconnect within US-China Relations | Wang Jisi | Part 2
January 30 , 2026
Prof. Wang highlights that while the personal relationship between US and Chinese leaders remain amicable. This does not directly translate into improved government-to-government or societal ties.

January 30, 2026

Institutional Disconnect within US-China Relations | Wang Jisi | Part 2
2:35
Renewed Hope After the Busan Summit | Wang Jisi | Part 1
Renewed Hope After the Busan Summit | Wang Jisi | Part 1
January 30 , 2026
Following the Busan summit, Prof. Wang expresses renewed optimism about US-China relations, citing mutual respect and a strong personal relationship between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump as positive factors.

January 30, 2026

Renewed Hope After the Busan Summit | Wang Jisi | Part 1
2:37
Sister City Shuffle | David Firestein | Part 2
Sister City Shuffle | David Firestein | Part 2
January 30 , 2026
David Firestein discusses Texas requiring its cities to end sister city relationships with Chinese cities, emphasizing its potential negative impact on local and national U.S.-China engagement.

January 30, 2026

Sister City Shuffle | David Firestein | Part 2
2:26
Beyond the Stats | David Firestien | Part 1
Beyond the Stats | David Firestien | Part 1
January 30 , 2026
David Firestein explains that while polls often show negative sentiment toward China, his firsthand interactions across the U.S. reveal a more nuanced view: many Americans recognize the need for cooperation on global challenges and support pragmatic engagement with China.

January 30, 2026

Beyond the Stats | David Firestien | Part 1
1:28
Preventing Conflict Through Connection | Li Cheng | Part 2
Preventing Conflict Through Connection | Li Cheng | Part 2
January 30 , 2026
Prof. Li Cheng of The University of Hong Kong highlights the critical role of economic, people-to-people, and particularly educational exchanges in maintaining peace and preventing military conflict between the US and China. He notes how the popularity of platforms like TikTok have fostered more positive attitudes among American youth toward China, thanks in part to educational experiences and university interactions.

January 30, 2026

Preventing Conflict Through Connection | Li Cheng | Part 2

Rural Roots to Global Perspective | Melodee Hanes | Part 1

Empathy in Action | Melodee Hanes | Part 2

Challenges to China’s Global Leadership | Wang Jisi | Part 4

Taiwan is not a Bargaining Chip for China | Wang Jisi | Part 3

Institutional Disconnect within US-China Relations | Wang Jisi | Part 2

Renewed Hope After the Busan Summit | Wang Jisi | Part 1

Sister City Shuffle | David Firestein | Part 2

Beyond the Stats | David Firestien | Part 1

Preventing Conflict Through Connection | Li Cheng | Part 2