Institute for U.S.-China Issues
The Institute for U.S.-China Issues at the University of Oklahoma, established in August 2006, engages in research and outreach activities that seek to better understand and improve US-China relations. It also seeks to promote China studies in the State of Oklahoma. The financial support of Harold J. & Ruth Newman endowed a chair for the Institute's first director, Dr. Peter Gries, and enabled the creation of the Institute.
The Institute created and hosts two major programs. The first is the Newman Prize for Chinese Literature, which is awarded every other year in recognition of outstanding prose or poetry written in Chinese. It is the first major award for Chinese literature in the English speaking world. The second is the US-China Diplomatic Dialogue, which brings together mid-career Chinese and American diplomats for an informal track 1.5 annual retreat to discuss pressing issues in US-China relations.