US academic: Xi’s visit may help change American’s views of China

World Today

China’s President Xi Jinping, center right, shakes hands with a veteran during a medals award ceremony to honor veterans of World War II and their family members, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015. Xi is visiting the U.S. later in September. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Ezra Feivel Vogel, a professor of social sciences at Harvard University, recently said that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to the United States may influence the country’s public opinion towards China.

The author of bestseller “Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China” praised Xi’s large-scale anti-graft campaign when interviewed at his home near Harvard University.

“Xi made a great contribution to the fight against corruption by launching the anti-graft campaign, which has delighted the Chinese people as they think corruption is severe. Xi is actively combating this issue, thus gaining him popularity among the people,” said Vogel.

Vogel also said that at present, Sino-U.S. relations are facing mounting challenges, including charges of cyber-attacks and the issue of sovereignty over the South China Sea. So if China can expand its dialogue with the U.S. Congress and encourage Congress members to truly understand the circumstances in China, Vogel said, then it may change the opinions the American public has toward China.

“If he could give some assurance to foreign newspaper people and academics about their ability to work in China and the ability of business people to work in China, I think that would solidify the base for better relationship with China,” said the professor.

CCTV