The Study of U.S. Think Tanks’ Cognition of Sino-US Track II Diplomacy

Abstract

Against the backdrop of heightened risks between China and the United States, coupled with intensifying U.S. strategic pressure toward China, this study examines American think tanks’ perceptions of Sino-U.S. Track II diplomacy to identify key concerns and potential misperceptions within U.S. policy circles. The research conducts textual analysis of 18 research reports published by 13 leading U.S. think tanks addressing bilateral Track II diplomatic engagements. Findings reveal that U.S. think tanks generally hold a predominantly positive attitude toward Track II diplomacy, explicitly acknowledging its unique role in facilitating intergovernmental communication. However, persistent challenges including linguistic barriers and trust deficit significantly constrain the effectiveness of U.S.-China Track II interactions. The study particularly highlights the emerging phenomenon of “pan-securitization” in academic exchanges, urging scholarly communities to address this concerning trend and proactively promote the restoration of bilateral academic cooperation.