WACC 2026 China Town Hall Conversation on "The U.S.-China AI Race" + 2026 Annual China Town Hall Hosted by the National Committee on United States-China Relations (Virtual)
Event Details
World Affairs Council of Charlotte China Town Hall Conversation on “The U.S.-China AI Race”
Min Jiang (Ph.D.)
Professor of Communication Studies, Affiliate Faculty of International Studies & Ph.D. Program in Public Policy at UNC Charlotte
In early March 2026, Beijing legislators approved China’s five-year plan (2026-2030), with a clear roadmap outlining its intention to become a global leader in artificial intelligence and to adopt emerging technologies such as humanoid robots and quantum computing.
The strategy is clear: China is hyper-focused on scaling its technological muscle and self-sufficiency by boosting funding for research and development, reducing bottlenecks that prevent it from developing key technologies like advanced semiconductor chips, and embedding AI across every layer of Chinese society.
Meanwhile, in July 2025, the current U.S. administration released an artificial intelligence strategy plan titled “Winning the AI Race,” which framed AI advancement as a competition with a single winner echoing the urgency of the Cold War space race. The message is clear: the country that achieves dominance in AI will gain an overwhelming economic, military, and geopolitical edge for decades to come.
As both nations push forward, the question becomes increasingly urgent. Are the world’s two leading powers on a collision course in the race for AI dominance? Dr. Min Jiang will help us understand the complex intersection between global politics, foreign policy, and the accelerating competition between China and the U.S., and what it means for international affairs and the future of technology worldwide.
Tuesday, April 7th, 2026
Presentation and Q&A:
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. PT
Cost: FREE for WACC Members, Young Professionals of the WACC Members, Student, and Teachers | $20 for Non-Members
Via Zoom
*The Zoom link will be provided to attendees upon confirmation of registration.
***********************************************************************************************************************
2026 Annual China Town Hall Hosted by the National Committee on United States-China Relations
CHINA Town Hall (CTH), a program that provides a snapshot of the current U.S.-China relationship and examines how that relationship reverberates at the local level – in our towns, states, and nation – connects people around the country with U.S. policymakers and thought leaders on China.
The 2026 CHINA Town Hall program will take place Tuesday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT, with two veteran senior diplomats discussing the current state and future trajectory of the U.S.-China relationship: Stephen Biegun, former U.S. deputy secretary of state, and Sarah Beran, former deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and former senior director for China and Taiwan affairs at the White House National Security Council.
Since CTH launched in 2007, the National Committee has proudly partnered with a range of institutions and civic groups, colleges and universities, trade and business associations, world affairs councils and think tanks to convene town halls and bring this important national conversation to local communities around America (and a few overseas).
Program Information:
Date:
Tuesday, April 7th, 2026
Presentation and Q&A:
6:30-7:30 p.m. ET / 3:30-4:30 p.m. PT
