Oct. 27,
2015

ISSUE
No. 61

AMS Weekly Newsletter
Supporting the development of the future stewards of U.S.-China relations

十三五歌
We are back with social media watch this week, as this song is too, uh, special...not to post. Also, make sure to check out the fabulous internships at the end of the newsletter and, if you apply, make sure to note that you are an AMS member!

Weekly Readings

Xi Jinping's international jet-setting in the last month has generated momentum for Chinese diplomacy. Xi has earned plaudits, critics, and shrugs; however, China avoided U.S. sanctions over its industrial espionage, driven a wedge into the U.S.-UK special relationship, built some space between Beijing and Moscow, and appears to be thinking about how to push its relationship forward across the European Union. In a year where Washington seems indecisive  and unable to make choices amid the contradictory impulses of U.S. policy, Xi's diplomacy strikes a remarkable contrast. If Americans cannot recalibrate and rethink how to deal with China (regardless whether competitive or cooperative), the kind of growing gaps in perception illustrated in the FT article could become isolating.

Social Media Watch

复兴路上工作室is out with another beauty, this time on the 13th 5-Year Plan. Google around for some more of their productions...
Still not clear who they are, but obviously officially approved productions.


俗语 in Xi Jinping's  Speeches
 
德高望重
dé gāo wàng zhòng

In an important speech given last year (but only released recently) about arts and literature, Xi Jinping used a number of chengyu in his exhortation to let art play an active, "positive" role in the rejuvenation of the Chinese people. This is just one form the opening line, meaning "of noble character and high prestige."

Original:  今天,这里群英荟萃、少长咸集,既有德高望重的老作家、老艺术家,也有崭露头角的文艺新秀,有些同志过去就很熟悉,有些是初次见面。见到大家很高兴。

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2015-10/14/c_1116825558.htm
Documentary of the Week

Today's videos present two different propaganda takes on Xi Jinping's visit to England. London's handling of its China relationship has caused quite a consternation in the United States; conversely, Beijing uses "golden age" to describe the future of UK-China relations. British policy toward China, guided by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, raises a series of questions about what policy should be toward China and how to balance economic and poli tical considerations.
Internships of the Week

Normally we aren't this verbose in our postings, but these two are not available online, so we are posting the full content below:

SHORT DESCRIPTION:     A Presidential initiative, the Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) is an ongoing and intensive mechanism for addressing the challenges and opportunities that the United States and China face on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global areas of immediate and long-term strategic and economic interest. The S&ED consists of two "tracks," an Economic track, chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury, and a Strategic track, chaired by the Secretary of State.  As the President's Special Representative for the Economic Track, the Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for taking the leading role in developing and driving U.S.-China economic policy for the U.S. government and is responsible for all Economic track-related preparations associated with the S&ED. The S&ED mechanism also provides a forum for ongoing and productive bilateral engagement between U.S. and Chinese officials who have diverse responsibilities for both economic and strategic issues. Specifically, the S&ED is a key part of our ongoing efforts to promote free trade, open markets, and foreign investment opportunities and to protect global economic and financial stability and press for market-determined foreign exchange rates. An S&ED office intern will help support these goals.
 
DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:   
 
The Treasury Department's Office of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) is seeking 2-3 springinterns. The intern will work both independently and collaboratively to:
 
  • Plan, edit, and organize briefing materials for senior U.S. government officials. 
  • Assist in preparing for and monitoring policy negotiations with Chinese government officials.
  • Assist and support Treasury staff with ongoing projects as needed; including a variety of logistical tasks related to hosting the S&ED.
  • Monitor U.S. and Chinese press for pertinent S&ED commentary.
  • Juggle a variety of tasks with a sense of humor, collegiality, and humility.
 
EXPERIENCE DESIRED:
 
Chinese language skills also a plus.  Candidates should have experience:
  • Operating in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
  • Working on both short-and long-term projects and being involved in the entire lifecycle of a project.
  • Writing and editing memoranda, briefings, and talking points.
  • Collaborating closely with multiple offices.
  • Following economic developments in China and in the U.S.-China bilateral relationship. 
POINT OF CONTACT:
 
Interested candidates should apply by sending a short statement of interest, resume and writing sample to Ke Ji  (ke.ji at treasurydotgov) Molly Silver (molly.silver at treasurydotgov ) and Matthew Sullivan (matthew.sullivan at treasurydotgov by Friday, November 13.
AND

SHORT DESCRIPTION:     A Presidential initiative, the U.S. - China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) is an ongoing and intensive mechanism for addressing the challenges and opportunities that the United States and China face on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global areas of immediate and long-term strategic and economic interest. The S&ED consists of two "tracks," an Economic track, chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury, and a Strategic track, chaired by the Secretary of State.  As the President's Special Representative for the Economic Track, the Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for taking the leading role in developing and driving U.S.-China economic policy for the U.S. government and is responsible for all Economic track-related preparations associated with the S&ED. The S&ED mechanism also provides a forum for ongoing and productive bilateral engagement between U.S. and Chinese officials who have diverse responsibilities for both economic and strategic issues. Specifically, the S&ED is a key part of our ongoing efforts to promote free trade, open markets, and foreign investment opportunities and to protect global economic and financial stability and press for market-determined foreign exchange rates. The Policy Advisor/International Economist will help support these goals.
 
AGENCY NAME:     Department of the Treasury/Departmental Offices/International Affairs/Office of the Strategic & Economic Dialogue
POSITION TITLE:    Policy Advisor or International Economist
LOCATION:    Washington, DC
DURATION:   Flexible, depending on detailee's arrangements. However, there must be a commitment to stay through next year's S&ED which generally takes place in late Spring or early-summer. Applications are considered on a rolling basis.
 
DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:   
 
The Treasury Department's Office of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) seeks to host one PMF on rotation. The Policy Advisor or International Economist will work both independently and collaboratively to:
 
  • Provide support to offices within Treasury (i.e. - East Asia, Environment and Energy, Trade and Investment) in the creation of concept papers and agendas for this year's S&ED.
  • Prepare memos and briefings for Treasury officials for a variety of different meeting, including, with industry, Congressional staff, and Chinese government officials.  
  • Plan, organize, and implement outreach activities in the lead up to the S&ED.
  • Work with colleagues both within Treasury and in other federal agencies on briefing materials, policy outcomes, and logistics in the lead up to and during this year's S&ED.
  • Assist and support Treasury senior staff with ongoing projects as needed.
  • Juggle a variety of tasks that range from the substantive to the administrative and logistical with a sense of humor, collegiality, and humility.
 
EXPERIENCE DESIRED:
 
A secret-level (or higher) security clearance is preferred.  Candidates should have experience:
  • Operating in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
  • Working on both short-and long-term projects and being involved in the entire lifecycle of a project.
  • Writing succinct but detailed memoranda, briefings, and talking points.
  • Collaborating closely with multiple offices and the broader interagency.
  • Following economic developments in China and in the U.S.-China bilateral relationship. 
POINT OF CONTACT:
 Interested candidates should apply by sending a short statement of interest, resume and writing sample to Ke Ji (ke.ji at treasurydotgov) Molly Silver (molly.silver at treasurydotgov) and Matthew Sullivan (matthew.sullivan at treasurydotgov). 

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