The political season is approaching, both in the United States and China. American politicians are scrambling to position themselves on the issues in the run-up to the 2008 presidential elections. For their part, Chinese Party officials are consumed by preparations for the impending 17th Party Congress this fall, and the corresponding redistribution of positions among the Party elite.

Numerous experts, politicians, and think tanks have taken advantage of the political season to convene conferences, deliver speeches, and issue policy papers on the subject of Sino-US relations. Included below are links to just some of the major, recent ones.

Policy Recommendations

• China: The Balance Sheet, Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Peterson Institute for International Economics
• US-China Relations: An Affirmative Agenda, A Responsible Course, Council on Foreign Relations

Conferences and Debates

• Reframing China Policy: The Carnegie Debates, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (ongoing series)
• Changes in China’s Political Landscape: The 17th Party Congress and Beyond, The Brookings Institution (April 12, 2007)
• Becoming a Stakeholder: China   in International Affairs, Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University (April 20, 2007)
• The Future of US-China Relations, US-China Institute, University of Southern California (April 20-21, 2007) 
• China Balance Sheet in 2007 and Beyond, Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Peterson Institute for International Economics (May 2, 2007)
• Beware the Dragon: A Booming China Spells Trouble for America,  Intelligence Squared debate held at Asia Society (May 16, 2007)

Speeches 

• Constructive and Cooperative China-US Relationship, President Hu Jintao (April 20, 2006)
• The Future of US-China Relations, Senator John Edwards (October 31, 2006)
• Whither China: From Membership to Responsibility, United States Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick (followed by analysis by four experts) (September 21, 2005)
• From the Shanghai Communique to Responsible Stakeholder, Vice Chairman, Goldman Sachs Robert Zoellick (May 2, 2007)

Political Analysis

• The Candidates on U.S. Policy Toward China, Council on Foreign Relations (June 4, 2006)

The above list is far from comprehensive.  I welcome people to send in links to recent, major events, reports, or speeches similar to the above.