To promote high-level exchange and discussion of law and human rights issues in the United States and China, the National Committee and the China Foundation for Human Rights Development co-organize an annual U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on the Rule of Law & Human Rights. Established in December 2009, the dialogue is the first of its kind to be jointly hosted by American and Chinese non-governmental organizations.
The dialogue draws in former U.S. and Chinese government officials, academic experts, and judges and prosecutors, all of whom gather to discuss developments in areas of the law that affect the rule of law and human rights. Some of the institutions represented at the dialogue include China’s National People’s Congress, State Council, Supreme People’s Court, Supreme People’s Procuratorate, Ministry of Justice as well as provincial and local bureaus; U.S. federal judiciary, Departments of Commerce and Justice; defense bars and academia of both countries. These experts bring multiple institutional perspectives to each issue area, adding focus and depth to the discussions.
Each iteration of the dialogue has generated significant goodwill, mutual understanding, and respect among the discussants, and has caused experts from both countries to reflect on their own legal practices and consider alternate approaches to addressing issues in legal reform. Discussants are committed to encouraging cooperation on rule of law and human rights issues.
The National Committee is grateful to The Starr Foundation for its ongoing and generous support of this program.
November 8 & 9, 2023
Virtual
On November 8 and 9, 2023, American and Chinese experts in law, government, and academia convened virtually for the twelfth iteration of the National Committee’s U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on the Rule of Law & Human Rights. The sessions covered many different topics, including corporate responsibility in overseas markets, privacy, transparency, forced labor, sanctions, state control, exit/entry bans, Xinjiang, and the protection of individual rights in international transactions, with a focus on business and human rights in the global economy as well as U.S.-China relations. The discussions may lead to the creation of a working group to follow up on potential areas of agreement and cooperation in the contentious area of human rights and rule of law.
2022 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on the Rule of Law & Human Rights
August 29 & 30, 2022
Virtual
On August 29 and 30, 2022, experts from American and Chinese legal fields, government, and academia convened virtually for the National Committee’s U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on the Rule of Law & Human Rights. The sessions covered various human rights issues, such as privacy, transparency, forced labor in Xinjiang, and state control during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as rule of law issues in the context of national security interests. The dialogue provides a unique platform for participants from both countries to discuss various human rights and rule of law issues.
2021 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on the Rule of Law & Human Rights
April 26 & 28, 2021
Virtual
On April 26 and 28, 2021, American and Chinese governmental, legal, and academic experts met virtually for this Dialogue. The sessions covered important and timely issues, with a particular focus on Xinjiang, the COVID-19 pandemic, and national security interests.
2019 U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on the Rule of Law & Human Rights
October 27-29, 2019
New York, NY
From October 27 to 29, 2019, experts from the American and Chinese governments, the legal field, and academia convened in New York for the National Committee’s U.S.-China Track II Dialogue on the Rule of Law & Human Rights. The sessions covered important and timely issues, including trial-centered reforms in China and experiences from the U.S. criminal system reforms, as well as government accountability and supervision, with a specific focus on China’s governance in Xinjiang. In addition to the dialogue sessions, the Chinese delegation visited the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, where they met with Judge Sidney Stein and observed a hearing in the courtroom of Judge Paul Engelmayer.
Earlier Sessions
December 3-6, 2018, Beijing
November 13-16, 2017, New York City
December 6-10, 2015, Beijing
September 10-12, 2013, Glen Cove, NY
December 3-5, 2012, Haikou, Hainan Province
September 14-15, 2011, New York City
December 7-8, 2010, Xiamen, Fujian Province
December 12-13, 2009, Nantong, Jiangsu Province.
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