By Li Han

Staff Writer of the Tsinghua News Center

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao visited Tsinghua University on November 18 and spoke that evening about“America and China in the 21st Century”.

Tsinghua Vice President Chen Xu and University Council Vice Chair Shi Zongkai exchanged ideas on education and Tsinghua’s cooperation with US universities with Secretary Chao prior to the speech.

In her speech, Secretary Chao noted that the U.S. and China are culturally and economically more engaged than ever. “A dynamic relationship exists between our two countries. But there is so much more we can share and learn from one another,” she said. She shared her thoughts on the state of the American economy, America’s workforce,and the role of the U.S. Department of Labor with the audience. She also compared American and Chinese culture. She pointed out, for example, the importance in both cultures of family, of education and of hard work as a path to success. But Secretary Chao noted as well the many cultural differences.  She underscored how strategically important it was to encourage more interaction and communication between America and China.

Ms. Elaine L. Chao became U.S. Secretary of Labor in 2001.

(Photo by Guo Haijun)