Issue date: 11/4/03 Section: News

Harvey Chu, 51, of Houston, performs advanced Tai-Chi during an exhibition of Kung Fu in the plaza near Rudder Fountain on Monday, kicking off China Week at Texas A&M. JP BEATO III * The Battalion

Students of The International Shaolin WushU Center in Houston perform with 18 weapons during a Kung-fu demonstration in the plaza of Rudder Fountain on Monday. The students are taught by Master Shi Xing Ying, a Shaolin monk. Shaolin Kung-fu dates back more than 1,500 years. The elegant and flowing movements make it unique to other forms of martial arts, and students can learn to blend their bodies, minds and weapons to become one. JP BEATO III * The Battalion

Americans may have misconceptions about China, but the China-U.S. Relations Conference being held this week should help students get a feel for what China is really like, said Jing Zhang, a graduate student at Texas A&M.

"China is not presented in the U.S. media the way it truly is," Jing said. "There are more stories written from a negative perspective, which lacks a cultural background and understanding."

A&M is hosting the "China-U.S. Relations: Past, Present and Future" conference Wednesday through Saturday. The conference will include keynote speakers, planning sessions and roundtables in which recommendations will be made to further the partnership and understanding between the United States and China.

Jing said taking part in these activities is a great way for students to see what the Chinese diplomats are like and learn more about the Chinese culture.

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will join former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Qian Qichen, former vice premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, to deliver the first keynote address on Wed., Nov. 5. Former Secretary of the State James Baker joins Chinese Ambassador Yang Jiechi who will also speak later that evening.

Lane Stephenson, deputy director of University Relations, said this conference is an opportunity for students to hear world leaders speak about China.

"The world is shrinking," Stephenson said. "Globalization is a fact of life and China will continue to emerge as an important player."

Stephenson said the speeches will cover all aspects of China's relationship with the United States and how to improve it.

"The purpose of the conference is to create better understanding to the future leaders of tomorrow," Stephenson said. "Aggies need to know all about this."

Stephenson said good relations with China are beneficial for trade and other economic purposes.

"Some Texas A&M students might be posted in China," Stephenson said. "They're continuing to be a significant trade partner with the United States as well as other countries."

Most of the conference is by invitation only, except for the keynote speakers. The conference is in conjunction with China Week that is currently underway, featuring educational programs, displays and performances from the Chinese culture.

The Powell, Kissinger and Qian Qichen address will take place at Wed., Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. in the Rudder Auditorium. The Baker and Yang Jiech address will be later that evening at 6 p.m. at the Bush Library. Long Yongtu, the secretary-general of Boao Forum for Asia, will speak at 1:45 p.m at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum on Thurs., Nov. 6. Tickets for these two speeches are available at the Office of the Vice President of Research in the Administration Building, room 310.

The conference is hosted by A&M and the George Bush School of Government and Public Service along with the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Complete program listings for the conference and China Week are available at http://china-us.tamu.edu and http://international.tamu.edu/ipo/China_week_info.htm.

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