Is Hainan the next Singapore? Or a newer and bigger one? Questions like these have been bubbling up ever since Hainan Province, China’s only tropical island, became China’s largest Free Trade Zone. Often referred to as the “Hawaii of the Orient”, Hainan is not only the world’s most dynamic tourism destination with a projected 80 million Chinese domestic visitors alone in 2021 but also the largest “lab” of the latest sustainable development experiment of the Chinese government.

Economic transformation in both the U.S. and China has created winners and losers in its respective society. While some regions are thriving, others have struggled. In this joint event organized by LRCCS, USHCA, and Taubman, we have invited the leading experts on shrinking cities to explore the lessons learned from the post-industrial shrinking cities in both the U.S. and China and how both countries are learning to help the communities that are left behind in the face of technology and global changes.

Given the recent developments around climate change collaboration between the U.S. and China, we will gather top experts from both countries to explore – what next? Can the U.S. and China collaborate?

Some lessons can’t be taught in a classroom, and with the end of the pandemic in sight, we are reminiscing on five unique first-hand experiences in China. Discover why seeing is believing as American students take us on a journey of learning and understanding that allows us to look forward to the day we can observe the world from a different point of view.

Yunnan a case study in China’s rural transformation and sustainable development model This event focuses on the impressive development of Yunnan, China, highlighting how the province moved from a rural area with high levels of poverty to having the necessary