concept

track 2 dialogues

Also known as: Track II diplomacy

Facts (8)

Sources

Advancing U.S.-China Coordination amid Strategic Competition - CSIS csis.org CSIS Jan 15, 2025 7 facts

perspectiveFor track 2 dialogues to be effective, they must be connected to official government channels, and participants must be confident that knowledge gained is being privately shared with policymakers in both capitals.

claimTrack 2 dialogues, involving experts, scholars, and former policymakers, can supplement official US-China dialogues by identifying risks, setting expectations, and exploring creative solutions that officials may be constrained from pursuing.

perspectiveEffective track 2 dialogues between US and Chinese participants require collaborative agenda design and advance mutual understanding of the key issues to be addressed.

claimDiscretion is a necessary component for fostering productive exchanges in track 2 dialogues between US and Chinese participants.

claimInformal interactions, such as meals, coffee breaks, or structured activities like paired walks and site visits, are often where breakthroughs occur during track 2 dialogues between US and Chinese participants.

accountHistorically, former officials and experts from the United States and China used unofficial 'track 2' dialogues to test ideas before official deliberation, but these settings now face roadblocks to cooperation.

perspectiveThe CSIS report recommends using track 2 dialogues to identify opportunities and solutions to obstacles in US-China relations.

U.S.-China Relations in 2024: Managing Competition without Conflict csis.org CSIS Jan 3, 2024 1 fact

claimThe resumption of people-to-people ties, track 2 dialogues, and official consultations between the United States and China serves as a stabilizer for bilateral relations following the collapse of these interactions during the Covid-19 pandemic.