In 1972, Richard Nixon made a historic visit to China. The trip broke 25 years of silence between the U.S. and China, paving the way for the establishment of full diplomatic relations later in the decade. Around the same time, second-generation Chinese American Gish Jen started writing; she first visited China with her family in 1979, the experience undoubtedly shaping her identity as both a Chinese American and a writer.

Jen’s latest book, Thank You, Mr. Nixon, collects 11 stories spanning 50 years since Nixon’s landmark visit and meeting with Chairman Mao. Together with writer Daniel Tam-Claiborne, Gish Jen discusses stories of culture and humanity sparked by a pivotal era in U.S.-Chinese history.

Source: https://townhallseattle.org/event/gish-jen-with-daniel-tam-claiborne/