Correction appended
Secretary of State John Kerry did not attend the private 100,000 Strong Foundation event in the School of International Service Building on Nov. 21.
AU shut down normal operations in the building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the event, The Eagle previously reported.
Kerry could not attend due to his necessary presence in the situation room of the White House this afternoon, according to Carola McGiffert, the president of The 100,000 Strong Foundation.
The event was held to promote study abroad programs in China and the U.S. to improve the countries’ relationship.
“As a policy matter, the United States already has a huge commitment to the Asian Pacific,” said Daniel Russel, the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. “Studying abroad breaks up prejudices and stereotypes.”
A group of American professors, business leaders, diplomats and high-ranking politicians from China and the U.S. spoke at the event, including China’s Vice Premier Liu Yandong.
“13.5 million have gone and studied abroad and half have come to the United States,” Liu said. “I hope more Americans come to study abroad in China.”
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly referred to Liu by her first name in second reference. It has been corrected.
