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China "People-to-People" Diplomacy
Since 1949 a significant forum for Chinese foreign relations
has been cultural or "people-to-people" diplomacy. The relative
isolation of the People's Republic during its first two decades
increased the importance of cultural exchanges and informal ties
with people of other countries through mass organizations and
friendship societies. In some cases, activities at this level have
signaled important diplomatic breakthroughs, as was the case with
the American-Chinese ping-pong exchange in 1971. In addition to
educational and cultural institutions, many other organizations,
including the media, women's and youth organizations, and academic
and professional societies, have been involved in foreign
relations. Two institutes responsible for this aspect of Chinese
diplomacy were associated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
staffed largely by former diplomats: the Chinese People's
Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Chinese
People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.
Data as of July 1987
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