USAI-Szymanski Rule of Law Program Updates

Overview

September 13, 2023

Dear Friends,

This letter is to update our immersion programs for top U.S. and Chinese law students. To help educate these future leaders, hundreds of current leaders have given their time and/or support letters (e.g., Boehner, Carson, Chu, Francisco, Kerry, Hoyer, Pai, Pelosi, Pence, Sanders). Special efforts have come from Senators Durbin, Hatch, and Inouye; Secretary LaHood; and Justices Alito and Jackson. Such investments in future leaders can support future U.S.-China relations. Please visit www.usasiainstitute.org/ruleoflaw.

U.S. Program. Each summer since 2008, we have hosted small groups of bilingual Chinese law students for four weeks in Washington, DC. We selected these 82 Chinese fellows from China’s top schools. During their busy month in DC, they attended legislative and judicial proceedings and met with U.S. government officials, typically six meetings per day. These meetings included over 900 members and staff of Congress, over 200 administration officials, and over 130 judges. When not in meetings, they visited our museums and landmarks, joined our cultural and social events (e.g., July 4th fireworks, Nats games, backyard BBQs), and gained lifelong impressions and friends. Please visit www.usasiainstitute.org/ruleoflaw/usprogram.

China Program. Each summer since 2016, we have sent small groups of bilingual U.S. law students to China for two weeks. We selected these 37 American fellows from Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Georgetown, GWU, Michigan, Penn, UVA, and Yale. Please visit www.usasiainstitute.org/ruleoflaw/chinaprogram.

Program History. The idea for these programs arose during my service as chief of staff for the Small Business Committee and the U.S.-China Interparliamentary Exchange in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2002-2007. During our many delegations to China, every meeting with college students managed to impress everyone involved. The idea grew after I moved to China in 2007 and began teaching part-time at Chinese law schools. The program started with one of my students in 2008 and USAI adopted the program in 2011. In 2014, I moved back to the U.S. where I have continued to guide the program as a USAI advisor. Program Impact. Fellows from both programs now serve in academia, government, NGOs, corporations, and law firms. See the attached alumni letters, and these approved quotes:

“I’ve been so impressed by the legal exchange program with China, and feel strongly that the U.S. and China need more of this type of cooperation.” – Peter Yeo, SVP, United Nations Foundation (9/7/2018)

“Your US-PRC legal program is a fascinating example of the best kind of ‘public diplomacy’ I have learned about in our critical relationship with the PRC.” – Ed Feulner, Founder, Heritage Foundation (8/20/2018)

For all participants on both sides, these programs are a window into each other’s nation, culture, and future.

If you would like to participate, please contact me at jmszymanski@gmail.com.

With kindest regards,

J. Matthew Szymanski

Senior Advisor, US-Asia Institute