About USCPFA
US-China Peoples Friendship Association
The US-China Peoples Friendship Association (USCPFA) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) educational organization. Our goal is to develop and strengthen friendship and understanding between the peoples of the United States and China. USCPFA was founded as a national organization in 1974, working on people-to-people diplomacy between Americans and Chinese. Nearly 35 chapters in four regions spanning the U.S. comprise the organization. National policies are established by the membership, which meets biennially at a national convention. A national board of directors implements national policy and meets twice each year. USCPFA is financed by membership dues, individual donations, local fundraising activities, and tours to China.
Statement of Principles
USCPFA is a nonprofit educational organization. Our goal is to build active and lasting friendship based on mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of China.
We recognize that friendship between our two peoples must be based on the knowledge of and respect for the sovereignty of each country; therefore, we respect the declaration by the United States of America and the People's Republic of China that the resolution of the status of Taiwan is the internal affair of the Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Straits.
We also recognize that friendship between our peoples and good relations between our two governments plays a critical role in maintaining peace in the Pacific Basin and in the world. As an educational organization, our activities include sponsoring speakers and programs which inform the American people about China, organizing tours and special study groups to China, publishing newsletters and other literature, promoting friendship with Chinese students and scholars while in the U.S., and promoting cultural, commercial, technical, and educational exchanges.
Everyone is invited to participate in our activities and anyone who agrees with the Statement of Principles is welcome to join.
You can download our Statement of Principles and the USCPFA National Bylaws.
Why U.S.-China Friendship?
China, with nearly one quarter of the world's population, has emerged as a nation that plays a significant role in world affairs.
With the realization of full diplomatic relations between the governments of the U.S. and China in 1979, opportunities for the American and Chinese people to learn from each other have increased significantly. Cultural, scientific, educational, medical, and technological exchanges, which are of great value to both countries, are expanding rapidly. The USCPFA initiates and participates actively in these exchanges.
Exchanges and programs organized by USCPFA are helping to build a bridge of friendship between our countries. This bridge, based on personal knowledge of the two countries, can play an important role in maintaining world peace.
Activities
USCPFA at the national, regional, and local levels sponsor many activities:
- Nearly 35 chapters offer cultural and educational programs with speakers and films on life in China, organize activities to bring together Chinese students and scholars with local residents, and participate in community festivals. These chapters publish newsletters reporting their activities and events.
- Regional and sub-regional levels of USCPFA sponsor conferences, traveling exhibits, and tours to China, and also publish newsletters.
- USCPFA National publishes the US-China Review (USCR), a 32-page journal to inform members and subscribers about China's history and current development.
- The Center for Teaching About China (CTAC) provides a resource catalog and inventory of curriculum materials to stimulate teaching about China in elementary and secondary schools.
- USCPFA National organizes the Washington Seminar, a two-day biennial conference in the nation's capital on U.S.-China relations.
- USCPFA chapters, regions, and the national organization receive educational, cultural, business, and professional delegations from China.
- USCPFA National organizes and conducts educational tours to China, often in conjunction with its continuing exchange with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).
Available is the History of the USCPFA written by our own Dr. Bart Trescott from Carbondale IL.
A fascinating look at the USCPFA from its beginnings to the present day.
Contact
for your own copy.
The Paper edition is 9 by 6 inches and 350+ Pages.
Price is $20 and includes shipping within the USA. Ask me about shipping out of the USA.
From the Back Cover Text:
The US-China Peoples Friendship Association (USCPFA) was created in 1971 by American radicals from many movements of the 1960s. USCPFA was sponsored by Chinese leaders such as Zhou Enlai who were trying to rescue China from the disasters of the Cultural Revolution and restore amicable relations with the West. USCPFA helped achieve restoration of diplomatic relations with China, conducted many tours to China, welcomed many Chinese coming to America, and published many China-centered materials. USCPFA was closely monitored by the FBI in its early days and was frequently torn by controversy.
This book describes an important and neglected aspect of the history of radicalism in the U.S. In 1971, Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai invited numerous representatives of American radical groups to visit China. Many of these returned home to help form the US-China Peoples Friendship Association(USCPFA). The Association attracted people from many radical constituencies, especially opponents of the Vietnam War. In the 1970s, USCPFA was a powerful voice supporting diplomatic recognition of Communist China. For a time, USCPFA was the principal provider of tours to China, an activity which generated membership and revenue. By 1980 USCPFA had over 11,000 members. Some radical members tried to use USCPFA as a vehicle to promote socialism in the U.S., but most members opted for a non-ideological organization promoting people-to-people friendship. USCPFA assisted China's opening to the West, particularly by welcoming Chinese students to the U.S. The Association has provided information about China through its magazines, New China and US-China Review, and provides numerous activities through local, regional and national units.
Paul B. (Bart) Trescott (PhD Princeton) was professor emeritus of economics at Southern Illinois University. His books include a history of the US banking system and a history of the introduction of western economic ideas into China. Since 1983 he has spent about three years in China, teaching and lecturing at numerous Chinese universities.
The US-China Peoples Friendship Association (USCPFA) was created in 1971 by American radicals from many movements of the 1960s. USCPFA was sponsored by Chinese leaders such as Zhou Enlai who were trying to rescue China from the disasters of the Cultural Revolution and restore amicable relations with the West. USCPFA helped achieve restoration of diplomatic relations with China, conducted many tours to China, welcomed many Chinese coming to America, and published many China-centered materials. USCPFA was closely monitored by the FBI in its early days and was frequently torn by controversy.
Contact
for your own copy.