Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, has watched the rollercoaster of diplomacy between Washington and Beijing for decades. In a world where TikTok trends move faster than treaty talks, Orlins believes the latest developments between the two superpowers are like a high-stakes 'co-opetition' game: part collaboration, part rivalry.
From Ping-Pong to Progress 🏓
Orlins, often dubbed a 'China whisperer' in diplomatic circles, credits leaders like former U.S. President Jimmy Carter for pioneering dialogue that turned Cold War frost into economic fireworks. 'We need that same gutsy optimism today,' he says, pointing to recent climate agreements and AI safety talks as proof that common ground still exists.
Tech Wars & Trade Truces 💻⚖️
But it's not all sunny skies. With semiconductor restrictions and tariffs making headlines, Orlins warns that missteps could cost Gen Z their climate future. 'Young people globally lose if we weaponize supply chains instead of fixing shared problems,' he argues, urging leaders to 'think beyond the next election cycle.'
Could student exchanges or joint space missions rebuild trust? For Orlins, innovative cooperation might just be the secret sauce for 21st-century diplomacy.
