Advancing Collaboration in an Era of Strategic Competition

This joint CSIS-Brookings project seeks to advance U.S.-China coordination on matters of shared concern amid intensified geostrategic rivalry

The United States and China have entered a new and prolonged phase of geostrategic tension. Consequently, the prospect of large-scale cooperation between the two countries on issues of shared and growing importance such as climate change, food security, and global health looks increasingly remote. As intense frictions look set to become an enduring structural feature of the bilateral relationship, new approaches to find and sustain meaningful traction on collaborative endeavors, including among non-state actors, are urgently needed.

The CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies and the John L. Thornton China Center at Brookings have undertaken a multiyear initiative to advance U.S.-China coordination in an era of strategic competition. Through historical case studies, practitioner and expert workshops, public events, proof of concept exercises, strategy reports, and translations of Chinese perspectives, the project will diagnose barriers now impinging on collaborative efforts and develop a playbook of best practices to improve the frequency and effectiveness of such efforts across a range of functional areas.

This project was made possible by generous support from the Gates Foundation and the Hewlett Foundation.

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Main Reports

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The project seeks to identify current roadblocks to collaborative efforts between the United States and China, and research, test, and refine an innovative and practical set of mechanisms to improve the frequency and impact of bilateral engagements—including among non-state actors.

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Supporting Analysis

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Commentary, events, and translations by the CSIS Freeman Chair and John L. Thornton China Center at Brookings will further explore avenues to advance U.S.-China collaboration in an era of strategic competition.

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China’s Food Security: Key Challenges and Emerging Policy Responses

Scholars from the CSIS Freeman Chair and Brookings John L. Thornton China Center examine key challenges to China’s food supply and the policy responses Beijing is adopting to increase its food security. 

Brief by Kevin Dong, Mallie Prytherch, Lily McElwee, Patricia Kim, Jude Blanchette, and Ryan Hass — March 15, 2024

U.S.-China Collaboration on HIV/AIDS

Epidemiologist and policy researcher Dr. Jennifer Bouey explores the dynamics of U.S.-China cooperation on combating HIV/AIDS from 2002 to 2018 to distill lessons for bilateral collaboration on public health today. 

Report by Jennifer Bouey — February 23, 2024

Smallpox Eradication: A Model for Global Cooperation

This brief for the “Advancing Collaboration in an Era of Strategic Competition” project explores the motivations and mechanisms behind U.S.-Soviet coordination on smallpox eradication, drawing lessons for how rivals can approach collaboration on issues of shared concern.

Brief by Nellie Bristol — May 17, 2023